Author: Amieyeofori Ibim, Managing Editor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has suspended further proceedings in the suit challenging the leadership of the Kabiru Turaki–led national executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pending the outcome of an appeal before the Court of Appeal, as the party faction emerging from the Ibadan convention insisted there was “no cause for alarm.”

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered a stay of proceedings after confirming that a notice of appeal had been filed and the record of appeal transmitted to the Court of Appeal. The judge held that once an appeal is properly entered, the trial court must exercise restraint to avoid actions that could pre-empt the decision of the appellate court.

The suit was filed by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who claim to be the acting National Chairman and National Secretary of a PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The plaintiffs are asking the court to nullify the outcome of the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

They are also seeking injunctions restraining those elected at the convention from parading or representing themselves as officers or representatives of the PDP, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The Turaki-led faction had earlier approached the Court of Appeal to challenge an interim order by Justice Abdulmalik directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the case. That appeal informed the decision of the Federal High Court to halt proceedings.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik stressed that the existence of a valid appeal and the transmission of the record of proceedings deprived the trial court of the latitude to continue hearing the matter. She adjourned the case to February 20, 2026, for parties to report on the status of the appeal.

The court decision is the latest twist in the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, which has been fueled by disagreements over the Ibadan National Convention, the party’s micro-zoning formula, and control of party structures in several states. The crisis has also led to the expulsion of some party officials, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Reacting to the ruling, the Kabiru Turaki–led PDP said the judgment posed no threat to its leadership. In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the faction said the court merely declined to grant the order of mandamus sought, on the grounds that doing so would amount to sitting on appeal over courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

The statement added that the party had directed its lawyers to immediately file an appeal and pursue all legal options to safeguard its position, insisting that the PDP leadership that emerged from the Ibadan Convention “remains legally intact and unshaken.”

Urging party members to remain calm and committed, the Turaki-led faction said there was “absolutely no cause for alarm,” maintaining that the party’s self-styled “REBIRTH movement” remained firmly on course as it awaits the verdict of the appellate courts.