By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has reserved judgment in the high-stakes leadership dispute rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after hearing arguments from all parties involved.
The court took arguments on Wednesday in appeals filed by the faction led by former minister Kabiru Turaki, challenging earlier rulings of lower courts that invalidated the party’s 2025 national convention held in Ibadan.
The disputed convention had produced a factional leadership, but was nullified by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal for failing to comply with statutory provisions, including the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
At the hearing, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, listened to submissions from lawyers representing the rival factions, as well as other respondents in the case.
The justices subsequently announced that judgment had been reserved, with a date to be communicated to the parties.
The case is part of a broader leadership crisis within the PDP, which has led to multiple court battles and deep divisions within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Central to the dispute are questions over the legitimacy of party leadership, control of party structures and compliance with internal and electoral processes, issues analysts say could determine the PDP’s ability to organise primaries and field candidates in future elections.
Political observers note that the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications not only for the PDP but also for Nigeria’s wider opposition landscape.
The judgment, once delivered, is likely to bring clarity or further contest to one of the most closely watched political cases in the country.
