By Dennis Okechukwu
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled April 22 for the hearing of appeals arising from the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, challenging the judgments of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 9.
A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Mohammed Garba, fixed the date on Tuesday after granting a request for accelerated hearing.
The court also shortened the timeline for filing briefs, directing respondents to submit their responses within five days, while appellants were given two days to reply.
The dispute stems from earlier rulings of the Court of Appeal, which upheld decisions of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from holding its planned national convention. The court had insisted that the party must first comply with provisions of the Electoral Act and its internal regulations.
The Federal High Court judgments, delivered by James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, followed suits filed by aggrieved party members, including former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, several political stakeholders were present, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside Turaki and other party figures.
Further details are expected as proceedings continue.