The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has granted warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party leave to resolve their dispute over the party’s elective convention through an out-of-court settlement.

Justice Biobele Georgewill, heading a three-man panel, announced that all applications in the matter had been adjourned sine die to give the parties room to negotiate. He urged counsel on all sides to prioritise reconciliation in the interest of the party and the wider political process.

The dispute stems from conflicting judicial pronouncements on the validity of the PDP convention held in Ibadan. While the Court of Appeal in Abuja recently invalidated the exercise and affirmed disciplinary measures taken against some party members, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had earlier upheld the same convention as valid.

The case before the Ibadan division of the Court of Appeal was instituted by Folahan Adelabi, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunmbi, challenging aspects of the convention and the internal disciplinary process.

In court, Justice Georgewill reminded the parties that the Independent National Electoral Commission has already released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, warning that prolonged litigation could jeopardise the party’s preparations.

He directed that the court be formally notified in writing of any agreement reached, or of a failure to agree, so that the appellate panel can determine the next steps. Until then, all pending motions related to the convention remain suspended.

Counsel representing the various factions signalled their acceptance of the court’s approach. Speaking on behalf of other lawyers after the proceedings, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sunday Ibrahim said the parties had demonstrated a willingness to settle and would now explore terms of agreement before returning to brief the court.

Ibrahim declined to go into details, noting that public commentary could prejudice the delicate negotiations. He indicated that the talks would likely address how any settlement aligns with INEC’s electoral timetable and the party’s need for organisational stability.

Adetunmbi confirmed that every motion tied to the disputed convention has been adjourned indefinitely, underscoring that the future of the case now rests largely on the success or failure of the internal settlement efforts within the PDP.