The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted the warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leave to resolve their legal dispute regarding the party’s elective convention through an out-of-court settlement.
The three-man panel, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, adjourned the matter *sine die* (indefinitely) on Wednesday, following a resolution by counsel representing all parties to pursue a peaceful mediation.
In his address, Justice Georgewill urged the embattled party members to prioritize the interests of the PDP and remain mindful of the 2027 general elections timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The Court should be duly informed through writing of the decision reached,” Justice Georgewill stated. “The counsel of the various parties are in the best position to advise those they represent.”
This development follows a period of judicial back-and-forth. Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had invalidated the Ibadan-held convention, contradicting a previous ruling by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court which had validated the exercise.
Speaking after the session, Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) noted that the parties have demonstrated a genuine willingness to reconcile. “The parties involved may discuss a way out of the INEC timetable and other pressing issues during the settlement meetings,” he said.
