The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22 for the hearing of appeals arising from the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, challenging judgments delivered by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on March 9.

A five-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba, set the hearing date on Tuesday after granting an application for an accelerated hearing of the party. The court also abridged the timelines for filing briefs, directing respondents to submit their responses within five days, while the appellants were given two days to file any replies.

The appeals arise from earlier decisions of the appellate court, which upheld rulings of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from conducting its planned national convention pending compliance with statutory requirements, including provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations.

The Federal High Court judgments, delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, followed suits instituted by aggrieved party members, including former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Several prominent political figures were present during Tuesday’s proceedings, including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alongside Turaki and other party stakeholders.