Court shifts PDP Convention suit to January 2026 as faction seeks judge’s withdrawal

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday shifted further hearing in the suit seeking to void the recent national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, to January 14, 2026.

The adjournment followed a fresh application by a faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, asking the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, to step down from the case over alleged bias.

In the motion filed by a team of seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, former acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and other officials elected at the Ibadan convention accused the judge of showing tendencies that raised “reasonable apprehension” of partiality.

The applicants argued that although Justice Abdulmalik had initially declined an ex parte request brought by the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, she still went ahead to issue interim orders that restricted the activities of their own group.

They claimed this created the impression that the court was not neutral.

The Damagum-led faction also disclosed that they had earlier petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, urging that PDP-related matters should no longer be assigned to Justice Abdulmalik and two other judges within the Abuja Division due to “previous experiences and perceived partisanship.”

Despite this, the case was still listed before her, prompting a second protest letter demanding reassignment.

They further questioned how the suit, filed on November 21, 2025, “found its way” to the same court and subsequently resulted in ex parte orders issued on November 25.

The faction claimed the format of the order resembled a previous ruling against them delivered by another judge, Justice Omotosho, insisting the similarity “went beyond coincidence.”

According to them, the orders touched directly on the substance of the case even though there was no urgency that warranted such ex parte decisions.

They argued that for justice to be seen to be done, the judge ought to withdraw from the matter.

However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the recusal application was not ready for hearing as all parties had not been properly served, leading to the adjournment.

The substantive suit — FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025 — was filed by Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Wike-backed bloc, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Joined in the suit are Damagum, all officials elected at the Ibadan convention, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The plaintiffs are asking the court to restrain the Ibadan-elected executives from parading themselves as leaders of the PDP and to stop INEC from recognising them.

They also seek orders preventing the defendants from attempting to “invade” the PDP national secretariat, insisting that Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, remains the authentic headquarters of the party.

They further requested an order compelling the police, INEC and DSS to provide security for their faction to operate from Wadata Plaza or Legacy House, Maitama.

In a separate counter-suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, the PDP under Turaki, SAN, and National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja is asking the court to order the police to vacate the party’s headquarters and allow them access to their offices.

That case has been adjourned to January 16, 2026.

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