The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled April 22 for the hearing of appeals arising from the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, challenging rulings of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 9.
A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Mohammed Garba, fixed the date on Tuesday after granting a request for accelerated hearing.
The court also shortened timelines for filings, directing respondents to submit their briefs within five days, while appellants were given two days to respond.
The appeals stem from decisions of the appellate court which upheld earlier judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from holding its planned national convention until it complies with provisions of the Electoral Act and internal party regulations.
The Federal High Court rulings, delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, followed suits filed by aggrieved party members, including Sule Lamido.
Meanehile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Turaki rejected the unsealing of the party’s headquarters in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The police had sealed the PDP national secretariat in November 2025 following a leadership crisis that turned violent.
On Saturday, the faction backed by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse, and Legacy House in Maitama had been handed over to its faction national chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed.
“This action is a clear demonstration of respect for constitutional order and due process. All individuals and groups are advised to conduct themselves within the bounds of the law,” said Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson of the Mohammed-led faction.
Reacting, Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led NWC, Ini Ememobong, described the move as “contemptuous”.
“By their action, they have tampered with the res, and that can render the judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory… It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” he said.
He also accused the police of partisanship in the PDP leadership dispute.
