The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment in the appeals challenging the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.

The appeals were filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, seeking to overturn earlier rulings by lower courts that nullified the outcome of the convention.

One of the appeals arose from an order issued by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who restrained the PDP from conducting the convention pending the determination of a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

Justice Lifu later issued a final ruling barring the party from proceeding with the convention, holding that Lamido was unlawfully denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman, contrary to the party’s constitution and internal guidelines.

The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling in March, prompting the PDP faction to approach the apex court for relief.

During proceedings on Tuesday, counsel to the appellants, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, urged the Supreme Court to set aside the appellate court judgment and dismiss the cross-appeal filed by another PDP faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Lawyers representing Lamido and the Wike-backed faction, however, asked the court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the earlier decisions were valid.

In a related appeal, the PDP, its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee also challenged another ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja which barred the party from holding the convention.

Justice James Omotosho had ruled that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses before the convention as required by the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines and the PDP constitution.

That decision was also upheld by the Court of Appeal, which held that there was no basis to reverse the lower court’s verdict preventing INEC from recognising the convention.

After hearing arguments from all parties, the five-member Supreme Court panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba reserved judgment and said a date for the ruling would be communicated to the parties.