Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has restrained the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki from accessing the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The ruling followed a suit filed by members of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik directed security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to provide protection for the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed to access and operate from the party’s national secretariat.
The court held that the national convention organised by the Turaki-led group on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, along with the election of party officials, was conducted in violation of valid court orders and is therefore a nullity.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the convention breached Section 287(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as the PDP’s internal constitution. She further described the expulsion of Wike and his allies during that convention as a direct violation of existing court judgments.
“I considered the expulsion of the members of the plaintiffs as not only an affront to the subsisting judgment, but also a direct assault on a democratic and principled society,” the judge stated.
She declared that all resolutions, decisions, and actions taken during the disputed convention, including the suspension of members, are unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void.
Abdulrahman-Led Suit
The suit was instituted by the Wike-aligned faction of the PDP, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
The plaintiffs sought multiple reliefs, including an order restraining security agencies from recognising or granting access to the Turaki-led leadership at the PDP national secretariat located at Wadata Plaza in Abuja.
They also requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be restrained from accepting any alternate office address from the Turaki faction.
Additionally, they asked the court to stop the faction from presenting itself as the legitimate leadership of the PDP in any capacity.
Earlier, Justice Abdulmalik had granted an ex parte order directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
In response, the Turaki faction challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal and also filed motions seeking a stay of proceedings and requesting that the judge recuse herself, alleging bias.
Judgment
Delivering her final judgment, Justice Abdulmalik emphasised that Section 287(3) of the Constitution mandates all individuals and authorities to obey court decisions.
She noted that despite existing judgments, the Turaki-led group proceeded with the disputed convention, actions which had already been affirmed as unlawful by the Court of Appeal.
The court held that party members are bound by their constitution and that the plaintiffs’ claims were valid and supported by law.
“The defendants are bound to comply with and give full effect to the subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court earlier referred to.
“The first to fourth defendants are not entitled to recognise or give effect, in any manner whatsoever, to the purported national convention held on 15 and 16 November 2025 by the fifth to 25th defendants and their associates.
“The purported convention, including the election of officers and suspension of members, is unconstitutional, null and void,” the judge ruled.
She affirmed that the Wike-backed leadership remains the legitimate authority within the party and is entitled to occupy and utilise the party’s national secretariat.
‘No Shred of Evidence’
On the request for her recusal, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the application, stating that the Turaki faction failed to provide credible evidence of bias.
She explained that allegations of bias must be supported by verifiable proof, not mere suspicion, noting that she found “no shred of evidence” to justify such claims.
The judge also clarified that the assignment of cases is the responsibility of the Chief Judge and not legal counsel, adding that dissatisfaction with court rulings should be addressed through appeal processes rather than recusal requests.
She further rejected arguments challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the plaintiffs’ legal standing, affirming that the case involved constitutional interpretation and enforcement, thereby falling squarely within the court’s authority.
The objections raised by the defendants were dismissed in their entirety.
The ruling comes shortly after the Wike-backed faction held its national convention, where Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as the substantive national chairman.
It is also noteworthy that Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had, in separate rulings in 2025, earlier barred the Turaki-led leadership from conducting the disputed convention, although conflicting judgments were later issued by an Oyo State High Court.
What you should know
This judgment strengthens the position of the Wike-backed PDP leadership by legally invalidating the rival Turaki faction’s convention and decisions.
It reinforces the authority of court rulings in party affairs and highlights the judiciary’s role in resolving political disputes. However, the PDP crisis is far from over, as appeals and conflicting judgments may prolong the legal battle.
The outcome of these disputes will significantly influence the party’s unity, leadership structure, and readiness for the 2027 elections.
