The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dealt a significant blow to the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing its appeal against a lower court’s ruling and awarding a N2 million cost against the appellants.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, March 9, 2026, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, which had previously barred the faction from proceeding with a disputed national convention.
The lower court’s order also remains in effect, preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any leadership outcomes from the convention, which was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Turaki-led group, headed by the former Minister of Special Duties, had challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court. They argued that the leadership tussle was an “internal party affair” and therefore beyond judicial interference.
However, the Court of Appeal rejected this argument. The presiding justices held that the suit was properly instituted and that the Federal High Court acted well within its constitutional powers to entertain the case.
The court further ruled that the plaintiffs possessed the necessary legal standing to seek judicial protection for their democratic rights within the party.
Addressing claims of a breach of fair hearing, the appellate court noted that the Turaki faction had been given ample opportunity to present its case, dismissing the allegation as baseless.
Consequently, the court ordered Taminu Turaki and other prominent members of the faction to jointly pay N2 million in costs to the respondents.
This ruling is the latest chapter in a protracted and bitter leadership struggle within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The dispute has birthed a series of legal battles over the legitimacy of competing party structures and the validity of national conventions, leaving the PDP’s top hierarchy deeply divided.
Leaders from rival factions were present in the courtroom as the judgment was delivered, signaling the high stakes of the ruling for the party’s future ahead of the next general elections.
