PDP Crisis Deepens as Turaki Faction Seeks Judge’s Recusal Over Alleged Bias

PDP Crisis Deepens as Turaki Faction Seeks Judge’s Recusal Over Alleged Bias

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Kabiru Turaki has filed a motion requesting Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to withdraw from presiding over a major lawsuit challenging the party’s leadership. The application, led by senior lawyer Chris Uche (SAN), argues that circumstances surrounding the handling of the suit have created a reasonable apprehension of bias.

The case originally stems from a suit filed by a rival PDP bloc aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and led by acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman.

In the motion, the Turaki group is seeking two orders:

1. For Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself due to perceived lack of impartiality; and
2. For the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter to another judge.

Uche cited Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing, asserting that his clients fear they may not receive an unbiased trial. He recalled that the 5th to 25th defendants previously petitioned Chief Judge John Tsoho, asking that no PDP-related dispute be assigned to Justice Abdulmalik or two other judges due to “past antecedents and perceived partisanship.”

Despite this, the suit filed on November 21, 2025, was assigned to Justice Abdulmalik and, by November 25, resulted in an ex parte order that Uche described as “curious” and similar to orders previously issued by Justice James Omotosho in related PDP matters. He argued that although some prayers were declined on record, the judge “granted even more far-reaching orders,” raising concerns about fairness.

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Uche insisted that judicial proceedings “must not only be fair but must manifestly appear to be fair,” noting that reassigning the case would safeguard public confidence in the process.

Meanwhile, the rival PDP faction is seeking injunctions preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any address for the party other than the one currently on its records. They are also asking the court to stop the Turaki-led group from presenting itself as the authentic representatives of the PDP.

The plaintiffs further want the court to compel INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Police Command, and the DSS to enforce earlier judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu on PDP disputes.

During Friday’s hearing, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) appeared for the plaintiffs, Chris Uche (SAN) for the 5th to 25th defendants, and Mimi Ayua represented the police. With parties confirming that all processes had not been received, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to January 14, 2026.

Later that day, a second suit filed by the Turaki-led PDP group came up. Terkaa Aondo (SAN) represented the plaintiffs, while Ken Njemanze (SAN)—appearing for those seeking to be joined, including Mohammed Abdulrahman, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, and Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa—noted that he had not been served. The judge fixed January 16 for hearing pending applications.

In the second suit, the plaintiffs—PDP, National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, and National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja—are asking the court to order security operatives to vacate the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Turaki Faction Seeks Judge’s Recusal Over Alleged Bias