By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22 for the hearing of appeals arising from the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party.
The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, challenging earlier judgments of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 9.
A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed the date on Tuesday after granting an application for accelerated hearing.
The court also abridged the time within which parties are to file their briefs, directing respondents to file their responses within five days, while the appellants were given two days to file any reply.
The appeals stem from decisions of the appellate court, which affirmed earlier rulings of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from conducting its planned national convention pending compliance with statutory provisions, including the Electoral Act and party 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.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, several political stakeholders were present in court, including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alongside Turaki and other party figures.