An early ruling by the Federal High Court in Ibadan has prompted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reaffirm the authority of its current national leadership, even as it prepares to challenge the decision through the appellate process.
The court, in a judgment delivered on Friday, declined to grant an order of mandamus sought in a suit arising from the party’s internal leadership tussle. According to the PDP, the judge held that acceding to the request would amount to reviewing decisions already taken by courts of coordinate jurisdiction, rather than determining the substantive issues surrounding the party’s Ibadan Convention.
Reacting shortly after the ruling, the party said the decision did not invalidate the convention or the Kabiru Turaki–led leadership structure it produced. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the outcome as a procedural determination and not a verdict on the merits of the dispute.
The party disclosed that its legal team has been instructed to file an appeal without delay, stressing that only a higher court can provide a final and binding interpretation of the contested issues. It maintained that the ruling underscored the necessity for an authoritative appellate pronouncement.
Ememobong said the party’s leadership remains in place pending the outcome of the appeal, adding that suggestions that the Ibadan Convention had been nullified were unfounded.
The PDP also appealed to its members and supporters to remain calm, noting that the legal contest is ongoing and that several related cases are still before the courts. It warned against speculation, particularly as rival factions seek to capitalise on the situation.
Despite the setback, the party said its internal reform drive, described as the REBIRTH movement, would continue unaffected as the leadership dispute proceeds through the judicial process.
