The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in separate appeals arising from internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In the PDP matter, the apex court is considering appeals challenging earlier rulings that nullified the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by Tanimu Turaki, seeking to overturn decisions of lower courts which restrained the convention.
The dispute originated from a suit instituted by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who argued that he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman, contrary to the party’s constitution.
A federal high court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, initially halted the convention, a decision later upheld by the court of appeal.
During proceedings, counsel to the appellants, led by Paul Erokoro, urged the apex court to set aside the lower court rulings, while respondents, including Lamido and a faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, filed objections seeking dismissal of the appeal.
A separate appeal filed by the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC) also challenges another judgment by Justice James Omotosho, which barred the convention on grounds that due processes, including valid state congresses, were not followed. That ruling was equally affirmed by the appellate court.
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After listening to arguments from all parties, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mohammed Garba reserved judgment, with a date to be communicated later.
In a related development, the same panel also reserved judgment in an appeal filed by former Senate President David Mark over the leadership tussle within the ADC.
Mark is contesting a March 12 ruling of the court of appeal which directed parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo.
He argued that the appellate court exceeded its jurisdiction, insisting the matter concerns internal party affairs beyond judicial intervention.
The suit was initiated by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who are challenging the legitimacy of the Mark-led faction.
Other respondents in the case include the party’s national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Mark is seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising any leadership outside his faction pending the final determination of the case. However, the respondents urged the court to dismiss the appeal, maintaining that the lower court acted within its powers.
The leadership dispute has already drawn regulatory action, with INEC removing the names of rival leaders from its portal and withholding recognition of any faction until the legal battle is resolved.
The apex court said it would notify all parties once a date for judgment has been fixed.
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