By Achile Danjuma
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted all parties involved in the legal battle over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention leave to pursue an out-of-court settlement.
Justice Biobele Georgewill, who led a three-man panel on Wednesday, urged the factions to prioritize a peaceful resolution in the best interest of the party. Consequently, the case has been adjourned sine die (indefinitely) to allow for the settlement process to proceed.
“This Court has granted leave for settlement in this matter,” Justice Georgewill stated. “All parties involved should be mindful of the election timetable as released by INEC. The counsel representing the various parties are in the best position to advise their clients.”
He directed that the court be formally informed in writing of the outcome of the discussions, regardless of whether an agreement is reached. As a result, all pending motions in the case have been adjourned sine die.
The dispute stems from a leadership crisis within the party. Recall that on Monday, a separate Court of Appeal in Abuja had invalidated the party’s elective convention, which was held in Ibadan. That ruling upheld a disciplinary committee’s decision concerning certain party members.
However, the legal landscape was complex, as Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court had previously validated the same convention in a ruling on a case instituted by one Folahan Adelabi, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN.
In his submission on Wednesday, Justice Georgewill cautioned all parties to be conscious of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections, implying the need for a swift resolution. All counsel present at the hearing aligned with the court’s position to pursue a peaceful settlement.