Rival factions within the Peoples Democratic Party have expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute will favour them.
The faction backed by governors and led by the National Working Committee headed by Tanimu Turaki, with support from Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, confirmed that the Court of Appeal of Nigeria scheduled judgment in the consolidated cases for Monday.
Similarly, the rival caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also expressed optimism that the ruling would validate its leadership structure.
The governors had earlier backed a convention held in Ibadan on November 15, which produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure.
However, the Wike-aligned faction rejected the convention and set up a 13-member caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu.
The leadership crisis has led to violent clashes at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, which was later sealed by the Nigeria Police Force.
Both camps subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission declined, prompting multiple lawsuits now consolidated before the appellate court.
The court’s ruling is expected to determine the legitimate leadership of the party.
