By Jannamike Luminous
ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday moved quickly to steady nerves within its ranks after the Federal High Court in Ibadan declined to grant an order of mandamus in a case linked to the party’s internal leadership dispute, insisting that the Kabiru Turaki–led structure that emerged from the Ibadan Convention remains firmly in place.
The parties claimed that the decision, which was made earlier in the day, was based on the court’s belief that granting the requested remedy would require sitting on appeal over rulings from courts of coordinating jurisdiction rather than being a judgment on the legality of the Ibadan Convention.
The PDP asked members to maintain composure and concentration while announcing that it had already begun the process of contesting the decision in a statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, shortly after the ruling.
The PDP stated, “We are aware of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, judgment delivered this morning, which essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought on the grounds that doing so would, in the court’s view, amount to sitting on appeal over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.”
The party claims that the court’s ruling merely serves to highlight the necessity of an appeal court making a definitive and authoritative ruling on the contentious topics.
Ememobong stated, “We have therefore instructed our attorneys to file an appeal right away and to take all additional legal action required to advance our arguments and firmly protect our position on this matter.”
Suggestions to the contrary were deemed premature and deceptive by the party, which was adamant that the ruling had not affected the Ibadan Convention or the leadership it produced.
“The Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken despite this judgment, as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement continued.
The PDP stated that, aside from the legal procedure, its first priority was to avoid confusion among party members and supporters, especially during a period when competing groups are keen to take advantage of any perceived vulnerability.
The party declared, “There is absolutely no cause for alarm, so we urge our members to remain resolute and committed.”
The PDP said that the Ibadan ruling has little bearing on its reform plan, framing the conflict as a component of a larger political fight rather than a fatal judicial loss.
According to the statement, “the REBIRTH movement remains firmly on course.”
With multiple lawsuits still pending before various courts, the Ibadan ruling is the most recent development in a protracted struggle over the PDP’s leadership and course.
