The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has intervened in the ongoing PDP leadership dispute, encouraging rival factions to resolve their differences over the party’s Ibadan elective convention outside the courtroom.
The court’s advice signals a possible negotiated end to the internal conflict that has threatened party cohesion for months.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the appellate panel adjourned the matter indefinitely, allowing the feuding groups to explore an amicable resolution without further legal pressure.
This pause provides a crucial opportunity for reconciliation and highlights the judiciary’s preference for dialogue in political party conflicts.
The PDP crisis stems from disagreements surrounding the party’s elective convention in Ibadan, which has triggered legal challenges from competing factions.
Members of both camps have accused each other of violating party rules, creating tension that has spilled into public and judicial arenas.
During the hearing, the judges emphasized that such political disputes are often better managed through negotiation rather than drawn-out court battles.
“The court also granted the parties leave to resolve the dispute amicably outside the courtroom,” the panel noted, stressing that compromise could restore unity and prevent further escalation.
The court further advised legal representatives to guide their clients toward peaceful settlement.
Lawyers were urged to help their factions understand the importance of compromise in preserving the integrity of the PDP and maintaining stability ahead of upcoming electoral events.
Attention was also drawn to the importance of timing. The panel reminded the parties and their lawyers that delays in resolving the dispute could interfere with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recently released 2026 electoral timetable.
Prolonged litigation, the court noted, might hinder preparations for primaries and other internal party processes.
According to the INEC calendar released on February 26, 2026, all political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including dispute resolution, between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The court underscored that failure to comply with this schedule could have serious consequences for party operations, especially in the run-up to national elections.
Political observers have highlighted that the court’s intervention reflects a growing judicial strategy: encouraging internal settlement of party conflicts to preserve cohesion and avoid judicial overload.
The judges indicated that the court remains ready to step in if negotiations between the factions fail, signaling that legal remedies remain available but should be a last resort.
The ruling arrives amid heightened tensions in the PDP, following a separate decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
That ruling affirmed an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court, nullifying the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15–16, 2025.
The three-member panel prohibited INEC from recognizing the convention outcomes, including the emergence of the Turaki-led leadership.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment, explained that the party had failed to meet constitutional requirements for a valid national convention.
He highlighted that proper notice of the convention had not been given to the electoral body, dismissing claims that the matter was solely an internal party issue.
The ruling has intensified the PDP crisis, as rival camps react differently. Supporters of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, welcomed the decision, while the faction loyal to Taminu Turaki insisted it would challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
These divergent reactions demonstrate the ongoing challenges in resolving disputes within the party.
Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned leadership has announced plans for a new national convention on March 29–30, 2026.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed that ward and local government congresses have already been conducted and that state congresses are scheduled in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho.
Mohammed emphasized that the Turaki faction is free to pursue further legal action at the Supreme Court if dissatisfied with recent rulings.
He noted that previous apex court decisions have clarified that internal party affairs are subject to judicial review under certain circumstances, reinforcing the legal avenue for resolving disputes.
The appellate court’s guidance to the PDP factions underscores the need for collaboration to maintain party unity and ensure that electoral processes proceed smoothly.
Political analysts suggest that successfully negotiating an out-of-court settlement could prevent further disruption to party operations and boost confidence in the party’s management ahead of elections.
Observers also note that the court’s advice aligns with broader efforts by the judiciary to support political stability in Nigeria.
Encouraging dialogue in the PDP dispute reflects an understanding that legal confrontations, while sometimes necessary, can exacerbate divisions and delay important political activities.
For now, the spotlight is on the rival factions of the PDP, as they weigh the possibility of an internal settlement versus extended litigation.
How the parties respond to the court’s advice could determine whether the party can emerge unified or face further public and legal contention ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle.
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has left the door open for judicial intervention should negotiations fail, indicating that while the judiciary favors reconciliation, it is prepared to enforce legal remedies to protect the rights of aggrieved members.
This dual approach seeks to balance party autonomy with adherence to law.
If the factions succeed in negotiating a compromise, the PDP crisis over the Ibadan convention may finally conclude without additional court involvement.
However, any breakdown in dialogue would almost certainly reopen legal battles, prolonging uncertainty within the party and potentially affecting its performance in forthcoming elections.
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