PDP Group Reviews Court Ruling on Wike-Led Leadership

A group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Minister Kabiru Turaki, is looking into the Court of Appeal ruling that recognized the Wike-led faction as the party’s true leadership.

The group said its lawyers would examine the ruling's legal details to decide if they should appeal to the Supreme Court. They feel positive about being accepted as the real leadership of the PDP.

Mr Turaki shared this on Saturday when a team of governorship candidates from his faction visited leaders in Abuja. They had come to show support and encourage the leadership to create a plan to unite party members, especially those at the grassroots.

The candidates included Sunday Biggs (Plateau), Ladi Hassan (Kwara), Joel Danlami (Taraba), Caleb Myebangara (Adamawa), Isah Muqaddam (Gombe), Lawal Umar (Kaduna), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kebbi), Yakubu Mu’azu (Jigawa), and Zanna Gaddama (Borno).

Mr Turaki told the candidates that the faction will meet its legal team to discuss the ruling before making any decisions.

"I have listened to you carefully, and I want to inform you, and through you to inform Nigerians, that since our judgement last Wednesday, we’ve instructed our team of lawyers to study, say and advise us accordingly.

"And I can confirm to you that immediately after this meeting, we’re going to have a meeting with our legal team and they’re going to tell us the result of their assessment of the judgement of the Court of Appeal," he said.

The Court of Appeal delivered a unanimous judgement last Wednesday, supporting the previous decision of the Federal High Court that dismissed a case against the Wike-led faction, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The three-member panel included Ugochukwu Ogakwu, Laja Balogun, and Ruqayyat-Ayoola, who read the ruling.

The case was brought by the Board of Trustees (BoT) that supports the Turaki faction. This board is chaired by Adolphus Wabara, a former Senate president.

The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026, was brought by Mr Wabara and seven others against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six other parties.

The appellants wanted the court to overturn the Federal High Court ruling and force INEC to accept the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mr Turaki. They claimed the committee was formed after a National Executive Committee meeting held after the Supreme Court ruling in April.

But the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, confirming the lower court’s ruling in favor of the Wike-led faction.

Mr Turaki told the candidates that the faction would keep working to regain control of the party through lawful means. He believes the Supreme Court will rule in their favor, allowing their candidates to run in the 2027 general elections.

He also said that if the faction gains recognition as the party’s true leadership, they would win the elections.

"I want to assure your excellencies and indeed your other colleagues who are not here, and through you also, to assure other candidates, our other respective candidates, that there is indeed going to be a bright sunny day at the end of the tournament. This struggle will continue. We are hopeful that we will win, and that after winning, PDP candidates shall be on the ballot.

"And as soon as we are on the ballot, I want to assure you that Nigerians are waiting for us. We shall be winning the 2027 elections by the special grace of God. So on behalf of PDP, I want to thank you so very much for the continuous support, the solidarity that you’ve been giving to us," he added.

Mr Turaki appreciated the candidates for their backing and promised that the faction would keep collaborating with them and other party bodies as per the party’s rules.

He accused unknown forces of trying to weaken the party, insisting that the group would fight against efforts to put the PDP in a tight spot.

"Now, PDP has come to stay, and PDP will continue to fight to free itself from the shackles of bondage that some undemocratic forces and elements are trying to put us in," he said.

He also asked the candidates to tell their supporters to stay calm and hopeful despite the court's ruling.

"I pray that God will grant you a journey back home with mercy, and then try to talk to your people to remain calm. Let them remain calm. Fighting is not for those who are seeing victory in sight. So we should not fight.

"We should remain resolute. We should remain prepared, because even if it is a few days to the date of the election, and the shackles, the bondage of our party are freed, we will get to the polls. And by the special grace of God, we will emerge victorious," he said.

Earlier, Mr Biggs, the PDP governorship candidate from Plateau State, spoke on behalf of the delegation. He said the visit aimed to show support for the faction’s leadership and encourage them to explore all legal options.

"The visit was to interact with the INWC to show solidarity with them and to encourage them to undertake a strategic plan aimed at sensitising and unifying the party, especially at the grassroots level.

"Furthermore, to ensure that the appeal to the Supreme Court is pursued with urgency, competence and every necessary legal preparation," he said.

Mr Biggs also urged the faction to look into reconciliation and constructive discussions with upset members to settle the party’s leadership issues.

"We also want them to establish a broader platform for reconciliation and constructive engagement among aggrieved members. The national publicity secretary should ensure that effective communication with party members is regularly held to prevent misinformation, speculation and unnecessary anxiety.

"The party should develop a political and organisational strategy to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections," he said.