PDP Leadership: Makinde, Wike Camps Trade Confidence Ahead of Appeal Court Ruling

By: Abudu Olalekan

Here we go once more. A fresh morning brings yet another courtroom session for the Peoples Democratic Party. Judgment day arrives at last, as the Appeal Court prepares to announce its decision about control of the group. Truth is, each camp walks in believing victory is theirs. Outcomes hang by a thread, though confidence runs high on both ends.

On one side, supporters of Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed insist they’re backed by the law. Over here, followers of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike claim identical ground. Not quite a mirror, yet nearly twin thoughts. Funny, unless you pause to notice how tense things truly are.

A decision on the joined appeals about the party’s control will come today from the Appeals Court, Ini Ememobong told Reportersroom. He represents the team under Tanimu Turaki known as the National Working Committee. Across the divide, a similar statement came through Jungudo Mohammed. He gives voice to those aligned with the interim group headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman alongside Samuel Anyanwu. Each side waits. Neither doubts their outcome.

Here’s something to start with.

Come November, PDP state leaders stood firm behind the Ibadan gathering. Turaki along with several NWC figures secured election on the fifteenth, set to serve four years. These governors oversaw the shift from ex-acting lead Umar Damagum straight to Turaki. All signs pointed to calm. At least that was the belief.

That day in December changed everything. A group backing Wike formed a temporary team of thirteen people. Acting roles went to Abdulrahman – he took charge as interim national chairman – while Anyanwu stepped into the secretary position. Their task lasted exactly sixty days.

Everything spiraled quickly. Come November 18, 2025, each faction showed up at the PDP National Secretariat inside Wadata Plaza aiming to run their own meeting. A scramble erupted without warning. People pushed one another. Voices rose in dispute. Officers arrived later and locked down the entire structure. That door remains shut now.

Fighters on both sides turned up at INEC wanting to be chosen. Still, INEC stayed neutral – no backing either group. After that came courtroom battles, one after another. And here we sit today.

What Is Actually Before the Court?

Today’s decision brings together multiple legal cases. Held up by a court instruction was one gathering, tagged FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, over failure to follow internal rules alongside national laws. This move came after three PDP individuals raised concerns: Austin Nwachukwu took part, then Amah Abraham Nnanna joined, while Turnah Alabh George stood firm too. Until alignment happens with their charter, Nigeria’s supreme law, plus election guidelines, proceedings remain frozen. The halt sticks unless every condition clears first.

A story comes from ex-Governor Sule Lamido too. An order by Justice Peter Lifu stopped INEC from overseeing any gathering that left Lamido out. In a separate courtroom move, the shutting of the party office faces legal pushback. Police find themselves on the receiving end there.

Falling on a Tuesday, February 12 marked the day appeals filled the courtroom. Just days ago, word reached those involved – today holds the answer they’ve waited for.

Wike Camp: “We’re Not Pessimistic for Even a Second”

Mohammed, part of the group backing Wike, spoke plainly to Reportersroom. Clear rules already on record back their position, he noted – no need for guesswork. The court’s past decisions line up just right with what they’re saying.

“You cannot violate the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of the party in conducting a convention,” he said. “Not only were these violated, but there was also disobedience to existing court judgments. What they did amounted to building something on nothing.”

That claim about party matters being off-limits to courts came up again. His point was clear – the top court had already ruled on it. Not long ago, a dispute around the APC and the Bwari Area Council boss set the precedent. What happened there shaped what applies now. The ruling left little room for debate. One thing followed from another, legally speaking. Precedent does that. It quietly closes doors.

“The Supreme Court clearly stated that internal party affairs is not absolute. Some actions fall outside that scope,” he added.

When asked what happens if the ruling goes against them, Mohammed was blunt. “I’m not looking at that possibility. By the grace of God, it will not go against us.”

Hope fills their talk of a real national gathering soon. Not a trace of doubt shows up. Never once.

Turaki Camp: “Justice According to Law Will Be Done”

Still, Ememobong kept his words calm. The leadership trusts the courts, he noted, while standing by democracy’s way of moving forward.

“When you look at the case, the position of the Supreme Court supports our matter. So we are hopeful that justice according to law will be done. At the end of the day, democracy must survive. The multi-party system must survive.”

If the ruling goes against them, he won’t dismiss the chance of doing more. Still, it comes down to how the court explains its choice.

“It’s like when the Supreme Court gave a judgment on the ‘unsure option.’ Even the dissenting judgment laid foundations for a political solution that is being implemented today. You don’t pre-empt the judgment. You listen to the reasoning.”

PDP Governors Urge Restraint

Not long ago, the group of governors under the PDP, led by Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, put out a message on a weekend day. Calm heads were urged among party figures at every point around the decision’s release – before it came, while things unfolded, even once everything settled. Right afterward, those in charge planned to gather without delay, weighing what happened and how to move ahead.

“We stand at a defining moment for our democracy,” the statement read. “The judiciary carries the weight of ensuring fairness, impartiality, and national stability.”

Fear of being sidelined came up again among those eyeing office by 2027. With quiet confidence, leaders stressed that every contender would stay included – no one left behind when votes matter.

“No ruling can erase the will of Nigerians for a fair and competitive political system,” they added.

Lagos Candidate Wants Quick Settlement

A letter arrived on March fifth, two thousand twenty six, sent by Funso Dohorety who seeks the seat of Lagos governor. The message reached the President of the Court of Appeal with a request tucked inside – to speed things along. With elections inching closer toward two thousand twenty seven, waiting too long might stir confusion. Clear direction now could steady what comes next.

How things play out in the appeals might steer the party’s primary race, influencing which candidates feel like real contenders come election time.

“The pendency or outcome of these appeals will significantly affect not just the internal preparations but also the validity and legitimacy of ballot options presented to Nigerians,” he wrote.

Ahead of April 23, 2026, party primaries are set to begin according to INEC’s schedule. With time ticking, Doherty saw clarity from a prior ruling as something that could shape choices for parties, election bodies, and others involved.

“I most respectfully crave the indulgence of Your Lordship towards swift determination of the consolidated appeal,” he stated, adding that he made the request with “utmost respect” for the court’s independence.

So today is the day. Both camps say they’ve won. Somebody is wrong. We’ll find out soon enough.