Wike Camp Seeks NBA Sanctions Over Appeal Court Ruling Controversy

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to investigate and sanction lawyers accused of misrepresenting a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the party’s leadership dispute.

The call was made on Saturday by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, following differing interpretations of a Court of Appeal ruling that has continued to fuel disagreements within the party.

The dispute stems from a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on a case filed by a rival PDP faction led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki. The group had sought recognition as the legitimate leadership of the party and asked the court to validate the national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

However, the appellate court ruled that the issue surrounding the convention had already been settled by the Supreme Court, which earlier nullified the gathering and its outcome. The court therefore held that the matter no longer required further determination because events had overtaken the dispute.

Despite the ruling, both factions have continued to present different accounts of what the judgment means. The Turaki-led camp reportedly maintained that the decision supported its position and affected the standing of the current leadership headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

Reacting to those claims, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, which is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, accused its rivals of twisting the meaning of the judgment to create confusion among party members and the public.

The faction argued that any deliberate attempt to present a court ruling in a misleading manner could damage public trust in the judicial process. It maintained that legal practitioners have a responsibility to accurately explain court decisions, especially in matters involving public interest and political institutions.

Mohammed said professional bodies responsible for regulating the conduct of lawyers should examine the actions of anyone found to have intentionally distorted the court’s verdict. According to him, such conduct could bring the legal profession into disrepute and create unnecessary tension within the political space.

The faction also called on relevant authorities and security agencies to look into the circumstances surrounding the conflicting interpretations of the judgment. It said appropriate legal steps should be taken against individuals found to have knowingly spread false information about the court’s decision.

According to the group, respect for judicial decisions remains essential to the survival of democracy and the rule of law. It maintained that court judgments should be presented truthfully and not used as tools for political advantage.

The latest development adds another chapter to the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, as rival factions continue to battle over the control and direction of the opposition party ahead of future political contests.

While the court ruling may have settled certain legal questions, disagreements over its interpretation appear to have kept the internal conflict alive.