PDP: Turaki Faction Rejects Appeal Court Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, has rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld the nullification of the party’s Ibadan National Convention and the suspension of some national officers, declaring that it will immediately challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led faction said the legal battle over the party’s internal leadership dispute was far from over, adding that its lawyers had been directed to urgently file an appeal before the apex court.

The group was reacting to a judgment delivered by a panel of the Court of Appeal presided over by Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, which upheld earlier rulings of the Federal High Court of Nigeria nullifying the PDP’s Ibadan National Convention.

The appellate court also affirmed the suspension of some party officers, including former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other affected officials, while upholding judgments earlier delivered by Justice James Omotosho and Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The court further dismissed an appeal challenging the interlocutory orders issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo Abdulmalik.

However, the Turaki faction said the operationalisation of the judgment could impose “untold hardship” on party members nationwide, noting that consultations were ongoing with critical organs of the party on the next line of action.

According to the statement, the faction has already instructed its legal team to immediately approach the Supreme Court for a final determination of the dispute surrounding the convention.

It also called on party members across the country to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that the apex court would expeditiously resolve the matter in the interest of democracy.

“The battle to rescue our party from the hands of government agents masquerading as opposition leaders must be fought, and we are determined to do so and win,” the statement added.

The development marks another twist in the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, which has seen rival blocs within the party, including those aligned with former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, locked in a prolonged struggle over the control and direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party.