The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for January 23, 2026, to consider an application for a stay of proceedings filed by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The application is part of a suit instituted by a rival faction of the party, led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Wike-led faction, along with its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the factional National Secretary, had filed the suit seeking an order to restrain the Turaki-led leadership from representing the PDP in any capacity. They also requested the court to prevent the police and Department of State Services (DSS) from allowing the Turaki-led leadership access to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs sought an order to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting any office address or other addresses from the Turaki-led leadership, other than those already on record with the commission. They also prayed the court to declare that INEC, the police, and the DSS are constitutionally bound to enforce and give effect to the decisions of the Federal High Court in previous judgments and rulings.
The Turaki-led faction has challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal and filed an application for a stay of proceedings pending the appeal. Their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, argued that once an appeal has been entered, the trial court is ceased from taking further proceedings. However, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, countered that an appeal does not automatically translate into a stay of execution or proceedings.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to January 23 to allow the plaintiffs to respond to the motion for a stay. The Turaki-led faction had also filed a motion on notice asking Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case, citing a perceived likelihood of bias. The judge had earlier granted an ex-parte motion directing parties not to take any action pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The case is significant, as it may impact the leadership and direction of the PDP, one of Nigeria’s major political parties.
