Wike-backed PDP asks NBA to sanction lawyers over Appeal Court ruling on leadership dispute

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to take action against lawyers accused of misrepresenting a recent Court of Appeal ruling. The faction's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, issued a statement clarifying their stance on the court's decision regarding the party's leadership dispute. The Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously dismissed an appeal filed by a faction led by Kabiru Turaki, who sought recognition as the authentic leadership and validation of the party's national convention held in November 2025. A three-member panel of the court ruled that the convention's validity had already been determined by the Supreme Court, which had nullified it, rendering the current dispute 'academic.' Following the ruling, differing interpretations emerged. The Turaki faction, represented by lawyer Ini Ememobong, claimed the judgment affirmed the suspension of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC). Conversely, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accused the rival group of distorting the court's decision to mislead the public. Mr. Mohammed stated that such misrepresentation constitutes contempt of court and called for the LPDC and NBA to investigate and sanction any lawyers found culpable. He also urged security agencies and regulatory authorities to probe the source and intent behind the alleged distortion of the judgment.

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The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are urged to rise to the occasion by investigating the conduct of legal practitioners who deliberately misrepresent court judgments and use their professional standing to promote falsehoods capable of bringing the legal profession into disrepute.