Appeal Court Gives PDP Factions Go-Ahead for Out-of-Court Settlement

On Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Court of Appeal granted parties involved in the dispute over the Peoples Democratic Party elective convention permission to resolve the matter outside the court.

The decision was made by a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Biobele Georgewill during proceedings on the case linked to the party’s convention held in Ibadan.

The court allowed the parties to begin discussions aimed at settling the disagreement internally and suspended further hearings in the case for the time being. With the approval granted, the matter was adjourned without a fixed date to allow both sides continue with talks that may lead to an agreement.

During the sitting, the panel advised the legal representatives of those involved in the case to guide their clients toward a peaceful solution. The court noted that resolving the issue through dialogue would be in the interest of the political party.

The dispute is connected to the elective convention of the PDP that took place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Earlier in the week, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had ruled against the convention and declared it invalid.

That ruling also supported the position earlier taken by the party’s disciplinary committee concerning some of its members.

Before the decision from the Abuja division of the appellate court, a separate judgment had been delivered by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, which recognised the validity of the convention conducted in the state.

The case before the appellate court was filed by Folahan Adelabi through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunmbi. The matter later drew the attention of several parties connected to the internal dispute within the PDP.

While granting the parties the opportunity to seek settlement, the appellate court also reminded them about the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections. The panel advised them to consider the election schedule while working toward resolving the dispute.

The court further directed that it should be informed in writing once the parties conclude their discussions, whether they reach an agreement or fail to settle the matter. In addition, all pending motions connected to the case were also put on hold until the outcome of the settlement talks becomes clear.

Lawyers representing the parties accepted the court’s position and indicated their readiness to take part in the settlement process.

They said discussions would be held among those involved to find a way forward and determine how the dispute could be resolved within the party structure.