The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has adjourned indefinitely an appeal filed by two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan.
The PDP convention in Ibadan produced Alhaji Tanimu Turaki as National Chairman. Alhaji Mohammed AbdulRahman heads the other faction of the party, backed by FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction had gotten judgment from the Federal High Court, Ibadan, invalidating the outcome of the convention.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in another suit filed by the Turaki faction held that the Ibadan convention fulfilled the requirements of PDP’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The two factions thereafter filed different appeals at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan.
NAN reports that the Court of Appeal had on Friday directed the parties to initiate moves to amicably settle the dispute after receiving an application from the Turaki faction of withdrawal of its appeal.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, inquired how far the parties had gone in settlement of the matter amicably.
Counsel to the PDP, Mr Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and Mr Jimoh Mumini, SAN, informed the court that efforts are ongoing among the parties to settle the matter in principle.
Mr Sunday Ameh, SAN, counsel to AbdulRahman, Samuel Anyanwu and Mao Ohuabunwa, informed the court that he had discussed with his clients and they are amenable to settlement.
On her part, Mrs F. Ajiboye, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said the Commission would like parties to settle their matters amicably.
Justice Georgewill thereafter adjourned the matter indefinitely in view of the parties willingness to settle amicably.
He urged the two parties to act swiftly because the INEC timetable on the 2027 election won’t wait for them.
The appellate court urged counsel in the matter to legally guide and advise their clients, noting that the success or otherwise of the settlement would determine the fate of the party.
“Settlement is give and take. You, as legal professionals should take the lead and advise them legally because they may not understand,” he said.
Justice Georgewill said the court was aware of the recent judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the matter and would have sent the suit to Abuja assuming the parties didn’t inform the court on their willingness to settle.
He told the parties to notify the court whenever they are ready with their terms of settlement or otherwise in order for the court to assign a date for the matter.
