The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has called for calm and restraint ahead of the Appeal Court’s ruling on the party leadership crisis scheduled for Monday.

The PDP-GF under the chairmanship of Governor Bala Mohammed made the call in a statement by its director-general, Emmanuel Agbo, on Sunday.

“We urge our members, supporters, and indeed all Nigerians to remain calm and disciplined in their reactions to the ruling. Our collective response must reflect maturity and a deep respect for the rule of law.

“We call on all party members and leaders to show maximum restraint, calm and be law-abiding before, during and after the judgment,” it said.

The statement said that the party leadership would meet immediately to review the judgment and chart the necessary post- judgment line of action. It said that, whatever the decision, the PDP reaffirms its respect for the judicial process and its commitment to peace.

It expressed the party’s firm belief in the judiciary, which he described as the custodian of justice, charged with ensuring fairness, impartiality, and the preservation of national stability.

“Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the PDP remains resolute in its mission to provide Nigerians with a strong, credible, and people-centred alternative.

“No ruling can erase the will of Nigerians for a fair and competitive political system. We are prepared to participate fully in the democratic process, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and respected.

“The judiciary has always remained the only impartial and people-oriented arm of government whose tireless defence of the constitution has ensured the stability of our democratic governance,” it said.

It noted that the PDP had always been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic journey, governing, opposing, and contributing to strengthening institutions that protect citizens’ rights.

“The PDP will continue to embody these values. We therefore call on all members with political aspirations to contest the 2027 general elections to have faith in the party’s ability to provide the party’s platform that will ensure their electoral victories. Notwithstanding the fact that INEC has already published the timetable for the general elections, the party will ensure the protection and realisation of their political ambitions,” it said.

The appellate court had, on February 13, reserved judgment in nine appeals filed by rival factions of the PDP regarding the controversial national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. The appeals stemmed mainly from separate decisions handed down by two judges of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, James Omotosho and Peter Lifu.

There were also counter-decisions from the Oyo State High Court and, recently, the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, regarding the disputed convention. Despite the rulings halting the convention before the scheduled date, the organisers proceeded with it in Ibadan, between November 15 and 16, electing Tanimu Turaki as national chairperson of the PDP, alongside other national officers.

There was another related case before Joyce Abdulmalik, also of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, filed on November 21, 2025, by a rival faction aligned with FCT minister Nyesom Wike to restrain the Turaki-led group from representing the party and to bar the State Security Service from granting them access to the PDP secretariat in Abuja.

On January 23, Mr Abdulmalik adjourned the case until February 20 in deference to the appellate court, which is hearing appeals regarding the same subject matter of the Ibadan convention pending before it. The judge rescheduled the case to take a report from the appellate court regarding the appeals.

During the hearing of the appeals, lawyers to the appellants, the Turaki-led group, urged the court to allow the appeals and set aside the judgments invalidating its convention.

But lawyers to the respondents, including the acting chair, Mohammed Abdulrahman, whose group aligns with Mr Wike, asked the court to dismiss the appeals and uphold the decisions of the Federal High Court.

Adopting his written brief of arguments, the appellants’ lawyer, Chris Uche, said the appeal challenged the October 31, 2025, judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho.

He argued that the judgment was delivered without jurisdiction and asked the court to dismiss a preliminary objection against the appeal. He also urged the court to set aside Judge Omotosho’s judgment and orders.

However, lawyers to the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu, while also adopting his clients’ preliminary objections and briefs of argument filed in opposition to the appeal, urged the court to uphold the objections and dismiss the appeal.

Other respondents’ lawyers similarly asked the court to dismiss the appeal.  

(NAN)