The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership dispute recently escalated. This happened at the Federal High Court in Abuja. A faction led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN) filed a motion. They asked Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, aims to invalidate the PDP National Convention. This convention took place in Ibadan, Oyo State. Justice Abdulmalik has since adjourned all related proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2026.

Allegations of Bias Against the Judge

Seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) filed the recusal motion. Chief Chris Uche led this team. They represent former Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum. They also represent other officers from the Ibadan convention. These parties are the 5th to 25th Defendants/Applicants in the suit.

The applicants accuse the trial judge of bias. They claim a “reasonable and well-founded apprehension of likelihood of bias” exists. This stems from the manner in which the suit has been handled, they added.

The Turaki faction had previously expressed concerns. They wrote to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. The letter requested that certain judges, including Justice Abdulmalik, not be assigned PDP internal disputes. They cited “past antecedents and perceived partisanship” as reasons. Despite this, the matter was still assigned to her.

They allege that the judge refused an ex parte motion from the opposing faction. This faction is aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. However, the judge then issued an ex parte order against their own group. This order, issued on November 25, 2025, barred their group from taking any party steps. They described the order’s “format and template” as “curious.” It was also similar to a previous order by Justice Omotosho in a related PDP matter, they noted.

The faction argued that these ex parte orders lacked urgency. Yet, they “touched directly on and determined the main substance of the suit.” The motion emphasized the constitutional right to a fair hearing. This right demands an impartial tribunal. The current circumstances “manifestly appear to be unfair,” the motion stated.

Court Adjourns Recusal Motion and Substantive Suits

The court, however, ruled that the recusal motion was not ready for hearing. This was because some parties had not been formally served. Consequently, the judge adjourned the hearing of all pending applications. The substantive suit will also be heard on January 14, 2026.

The primary suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025) was initiated by the Wike-aligned faction. Mohammed Abdulrahman (Acting National Chairman) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary) are the plaintiffs. They seek several court orders:

Nullify the Ibadan convention and all its resolutions.
Restrain Turaki-led officers from parading as PDP representatives.
Bar INEC from recognizing the Turaki faction.
Direct security agencies to provide security for the plaintiffs. This is for conducting business at the party’s official headquarters, Wadata Plaza and Legacy House.

Justice Abdulmalik also adjourned a counter-suit. This suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025) was filed by the Turaki faction. It seeks an order directing the police to vacate the party headquarters at Wadata Plaza. This case will be heard on January 16, 2026.