Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding ahead of the ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on the party’s lingering leadership crisis.

The appeal court is expected to deliver its judgment on Monday, March 9, 2026, on the dispute over the leadership of the opposition party.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, the forum, chaired by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, urged party faithful to demonstrate restraint and respect for the rule of law before, during and after the verdict.

The forum said the moment was a defining one for Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the judiciary remained the custodian of justice and fairness in the country’s democratic process.

It said: “We stand at a defining moment for our democracy. The judiciary, as the custodian of justice, carries the weight of ensuring fairness, impartiality and the preservation of national stability. Whatever the decision may be, the PDP reaffirms its respect for the judicial process and its commitment to peace.”

The governors noted that the PDP had remained a central pillar in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, having played significant roles both in government and in opposition.

They urged members, supporters and Nigerians in general to respond to the forthcoming ruling with maturity and discipline, stressing that the party leadership would meet immediately after the judgment to review the decision and determine the next course of action.

According to the forum, democracy thrives on the diversity of opinions, healthy competition of ideas and the ability of citizens to make choices among credible political alternatives.

The governors also encouraged party members with political ambitions to remain confident in the party’s capacity to provide a viable platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They added that despite the publication of the election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party remained committed to protecting the aspirations of its members seeking elective offices.

Looking ahead to the 2027 polls, the forum reaffirmed the PDP’s determination to present Nigerians with what it described as a credible and people-oriented alternative capable of strengthening democratic governance.

The statement further described the judiciary as an impartial arm of government whose commitment to defending the constitution had continued to ensure the stability of Nigeria’s democratic system.