The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has advised the feuding factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve their internal dispute amicably, describing the crisis as a family matter that has escalated unnecessarily.
The appellate court, presided over by Justice Biobele Georgewill, made the remark while hearing appeals arising from conflicting rulings earlier delivered by the Federal High Court and the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan concerning the party’s Ibadan convention.
The case took a new turn after counsel to the appellant, Mr. Fredrick Ladapo, filed a Motion on Notice dated March 4, 2026, seeking to withdraw the appeal before the court.
During the proceedings, Justice Georgewill requested lawyers representing both sides to clarify the various applications and legal processes already before the court for consideration.
While commenting on the situation, the judge noted that the disagreement within the PDP was essentially an internal party matter that had been allowed to deteriorate.
He stated that the filing of the notice to withdraw the appeal presented an opportunity for the parties involved to settle their differences outside the courtroom.
According to him, the dispute within the PDP could best be handled through dialogue and mutual understanding, stressing that the situation had already gone beyond what should normally occur within a political family.
Justice Georgewill further directed the two factions in the party to meet with their legal representatives to discuss possible terms of settlement and reach a compromise.
He explained that once the parties agree on the terms and present them before the court, the agreement could be adopted and entered as the judgment of the court.
The judge also instructed counsel representing both sides to appear on the next adjourned date to inform the court whether their clients were willing to pursue an amicable settlement.
He added that if the parties fail to resolve the matter peacefully, the court would either proceed with hearing the appeal or transfer the case to Abuja for consolidation with other pending appeals related to the dispute within the party.
PDP Crisis a ‘Family Affair’ That Has Turned Sour, Appeal Court Judge Says
