The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the Peoples Democratic Party's appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified its national convention held in Ibadan. The five-member panel, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, announced the decision on Wednesday after both parties adopted their final arguments. The Court of Appeal had ruled last month that the convention, held on November 15 and 16, 2026, violated a Federal High Court order issued by Justice Peter Lifu. That order had restrained the PDP's National Executive Committee, then led by Ambassador Iliya Damagum, from proceeding with the convention until Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, was allowed to purchase nomination and interest forms. The PDP proceeded with the convention despite the injunction, arguing that the matter was an internal party issue beyond the jurisdiction of the courts. The appellate court rejected this argument, declaring the convention unlawful due to non-compliance with the court's order. The PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the lower courts' jurisdiction over the matter. The respondents have urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, saying it lacks merit. The Supreme Court will deliver its judgment at a later date.
The PDP insists courts have no jurisdiction over its internal affairs while simultaneously seeking relief from the Supreme Court, exposing a contradiction in its legal stance. The party's challenge of judicial intervention in its convention stands in tension with its current reliance on that same judiciary to reverse the outcome. Alhaji Sule Lamido's exclusion from accessing forms remains central to the dispute, directly affecting his ability to contest for national chairman. The resolution will determine not only the party's leadership path but also the consistency of its position on judicial oversight.
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