The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeals and cross-appeals arising from the judgments of the Court of Appeal on the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on November 15 and 16, 2025, as well as those of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu.
The apex court Wednesday, April 22, 2026, heard the appeals, with all parties adopting their respective processes, and thereafter reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to counsels.
The Court of Appeal had upheld the judgments of Justices Omotosho and Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and consequently nullified the convention of the PDP held in Ibadan.
The Appeal Court also upheld the suspension of A.K. Ajibade, SAN, and other former officers of the Party, including Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
But, dissatisfied with the judgment, the PDP appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that both the trial court and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, same being a suit emanating from the internal affairs of the Party.
The appeal, marked SC/CV/164/2026, was filed by the Tanimu Turaki, SAN-led faction of the PDP seeking to overturn the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court in Abuja that invalidated the convention.
Also dissatisfied, the Respondents (Senator Samuel Anyanwu and others) filed a cross-appeal, seeking to set aside the decision of the Court as it relates to the suspension of A.K. Ajibade, SAN, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, and others.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, reserved judgment in the case after all parties adopted their written submissions.
The appellants, through their counsel, Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, prayed the court to allow the appeal and dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On the other hand, counsel to Sule Lamido and the Wike-backed faction, namely; J. C. Njikonye, SAN, and J. B. Daudu, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the appeal, saying that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the courts and not strictly party’s internal affairs.
The PDP in a statement shortly after the Supreme Court hearing, charged its “true and uncompromised” members to keep their faith alive, in the unwavering hope that the apex court will deliver judgments that will preserve multi-party democracy and prevent the imminent enthronement of a one-party state.
The statement which was issued by Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led faction, noted that the Supreme Court has, at several times in the history of our non-linear democratic experience, remained the last hope of Nigeria and Nigerians, even in the face of immense pressure and unimaginable risk.
