Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that his camp is prepared for a legal battle should they decide to challenge Monday’s appellate court ruling at the Supreme Court.
The warning followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal Nigeria in Abuja, which dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction and upheld an earlier decision of the Federal High Court Nigeria restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s 2025 national convention.
The convention, held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, had produced Turaki as national chairman with the backing of Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam ruled that the PDP violated constitutional provisions governing the conduct of a national convention and failed to properly notify INEC as required by law.
The appellate court further held that the required congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states before the convention, as stipulated by law.
Reacting to the ruling, Wike said the decision validates his faction’s position that due process must guide the party’s internal affairs.
“Today is one of my happiest days because, as a party that claims to uphold democratic principles, we must not condone impunity. We must follow due process and allow the rule of law to prevail,” he said.
He revealed that his faction won nine separate appeals against the Turaki camp, with the court awarding ₦2 million in costs for each case, bringing the total penalty to ₦18 million.
Wike described the judgment as an opportunity for reconciliation within the PDP but cautioned that pursuing the matter further at the Supreme Court could deepen divisions within the party.
“Today’s judgement is an opportunity for PDP to reconcile, but if they decide to go to the Supreme Court, it won’t augur well for the party. If they insist on going, we will be ready for them,” he said.
The FCT minister added that the party must move beyond internal conflicts and refocus on strengthening its role as a credible opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
