The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the faction led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN) filed a motion asking Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to step down from presiding over the case.
The main suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, seeks to nullify the outcome of the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned further hearings on the matter and all related applications to January 14, 2026.
Turaki Faction Accuses Judge of Bias
A team of seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), led by Chief Chris Uche, filed the recusal application on behalf of former Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and other officials elected at the Ibadan convention (the 5th–25th Defendants).
They allege that the judge has demonstrated conduct capable of raising a “reasonable and well-founded apprehension of bias,” citing concerns over how the case has been handled so far.
The faction noted that it had earlier petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, urging that Justice Abdulmalik and two other judges should not preside over any PDP-related disputes due to “past antecedents and perceived partisanship.” The case was nevertheless assigned to her.
Complaint Over Ex Parte Orders
According to the Turaki group, although Justice Abdulmalik declined an ex parte request from the rival faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, she later issued an ex parte order on November 25, 2025, against their own group.
They argued that the order restrained them from taking actions on behalf of the party and bore a “curious” resemblance to a prior order issued by Justice Omotosho in a related PDP matter.
The SANs further claimed that the ex parte order was granted despite the absence of urgency and effectively determined core issues in the substantive suit.
Motion Not Ripe, Court Rules
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the application for her recusal was not ready for hearing, as some parties had not yet been properly served. She therefore adjourned the matter, along with other pending applications, to January 14, 2026.
Details of the Main Suit
The case was instituted by the Wike-aligned faction, with Mohammed Abdulrahman (Acting National Chairman) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary) as plaintiffs. They are seeking court orders to:
- Nullify the Ibadan convention and its resolutions
- Stop the Turaki-led officers from acting as PDP officials
- Prevent INEC from recognizing the Turaki faction
- Direct security agencies (IGP, FCT CP, and DSS) to secure Wadata Plaza and Legacy House for their use
Counter-Suit Adjourned
A separate suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, filed by the Turaki faction and seeking an order for the police to vacate Wadata Plaza, was adjourned by Justice Abdulmalik to January 16, 2026.
