The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is set to continue in the courts as the faction backing Kabiru Turaki moves to appeal a judgment dismissing its bid to be recognised as the party’s legitimate leadership.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had dismissed a suit filed by the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees, which sought recognition for the Turaki-led interim national working committee.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the dispute was an internal party matter and outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The judgment is a setback for the Turaki faction, which had selected former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement, PDP National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki faction, Ini Ememobong, said the judgment would be challenged at the Court of Appeal, insisting the decision contradicted previous judgments.
Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, also rejected the ruling, arguing that the court made pronouncements beyond the issues presented before it and that the judgment was detrimental to the party and Nigeria’s democracy.
The PDP remains divided between the Turaki-led faction and the group backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
