The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has announced plans to appeal a judgment delivered on Friday by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, following the court’s refusal to grant an order of mandamus.

The court held that granting the mandamus would amount to “sitting on appeal” over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, a decision that the party described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement posted by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on X account on Friday, the Turaki-led PDP faction confirmed that it has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal and pursue all necessary legal steps to protect its position in the matter.

Despite the setback, the party emphasised that the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken.

The party said it is awaiting the final pronouncement of the appellate courts, which it believes will uphold its position.

The statement urged members to remain calm and resolute, insisting there is “absolutely no cause for alarm.” The party also reiterated that the rebirth movement remains firmly on course.

The development comes amid ongoing disputes within the PDP over leadership and recognition of factions, with each side seeking legal validation of its legitimacy.

As the case progresses to the appellate court, party members and supporters will be closely watching for a definitive ruling that could shape the direction of the PDP ahead of upcoming political engagements.

“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken, as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.

“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed, as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course,” the statement added.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is being actively engaged in ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State, despite not being a registered member of the ruling party.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, made this disclosure on Thursday during an interview on TVC’s ‘Beyond The Headlines’, noting Wike’s critical role in the state’s political landscape and his support for President Bola Tinubu.

“Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though not a member of the political party,” Basiru said.

“Rivers State is critical to the success of President Tinubu, and definitely, he will be engaged. He’s been engaged in an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”

Basiru stressed that the ongoing consultations were largely confidential, noting that “not every measure being taken will be made public through the media.”

He assured Nigerians that the Rivers State crisis would be settled amicably, without winners or losers, and promised that details of the resolution would be shared publicly in the coming days.

Addressing criticisms that the APC is predominantly an elite party attracting only governors and political heavyweights, Basiru emphasised the mass appeal of the party:

“The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organisation, and going by the figures from our mass e-registration system, we are confident that APC is a party to beat in all elections. We are loved by the Nigerian people, and they are trooping out to join the APC.”

“Our tradition is socio-democratic, pro-people, and we are working to strengthen our party. We are mobilising, conscientising, and showing Nigerians why the pan-Nigerian political party, the APC, is the party to be in. The masses of Nigerian people are joining our party in large numbers.”

The statement comes against the backdrop of a long-standing political rift between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara over control of Rivers State politics.

Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on December 9, 2025, a move interpreted as a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defection followed earlier shifts by several prominent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC, ending Fubara’s long association with the PDP and positioning him as the ruling party’s central figure in the state.

After Fubara’s defection, Wike publicly criticised him for allegedly breaking prior agreements and questioned his chances of securing another term in office.

The FCT Minister further argued that Fubara does not enjoy genuine backing within the APC, suggesting he is being misadvised and faces slim prospects of winning the 2027 governorship race in the oil-producing state.

In an unexpected development, the majority of the Rivers State House of Assembly members—aligned with the APC, like the governor—commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara on January 8, 2026.

Observers widely attributed the move to Wike’s influence in the state’s politics. The proceedings, however, remain stalled due to ongoing litigation.

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Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.