May 01, (THEWILL) — The camp within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, declared that the Supreme Court judgement delivered on April 30 only nullified the controversial Ibadan convention and did not create any leadership vacuum within the opposition party.
THEWILL recalled that the the Court of Appeal in Abuja had delivered a judgement on March 9, which upheld the suspension of key PDP national officers, including former National Legal Adviser, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.
A three-member appellate panel of the appellate court had affirmed decisions earlier taken by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend Ajibade, Anyanwu, and others on November 1, 2025, following allegations of anti-party activities and conduct “inconsistent with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.” The court held that the PDP acted within its constitutional powers under the party’s constitution in imposing the suspensions, and that these actions were not contrary to any existing legal or procedural requirements. In its lead judgement, the appellate court validated the disciplinary processes initiated by the PDP, citing the supremacy of the party’s constitution in internal administrative matters. The court recognised the authority of the NWC to suspend officers found to have violated party discipline and constitutional provisions.
THEWILL also reported that the party’s BoT, on Thursday, assumed the national leadership of the opposition party following the Supreme Court judgment that invalidated the party’s 2025 national convention and dissolved the rival leadership structures that emerged from the prolonged internal crisis. In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Board, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the BoT said it was stepping in to prevent a constitutional vacuum and stabilise the party after the apex court delivered what it described as a far-reaching judgment affecting the party’s leadership architecture. It said its intervention was in line with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), particularly Section 32(5), which empowers the Board as the second-highest organ of the party to take responsibility in extraordinary circumstances threatening the party’s existence and operational continuity.
According to the statement, the Supreme Court invalidated the 15th to 16th November 2025 PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). The apex court also upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon Umar Bature and Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade from the party. The Board explained that the judgement implied that all actions taken by the suspended officials, including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee and the conduct and outcome of the March 29, 2026, convention in Abuja, had become illegal, null and void
Addressing journalists during a press conference at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the Wike-backed faction also maintained that contrary to claims circulating in political circles, the apex court neither removed nor suspended any national officer of the party.
According to the faction, the Supreme Court only addressed the legality of the disputed “15th and 16th Ibadan Convention” and subsequently dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led camp for lacking merit.
“Let it be clear and unambiguous that the Supreme Court judgment only nullified the illegal Ibadan convention and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led purported National Working Committee for lacking in merit”, the statement declared.
The Wike-aligned camp insisted that issues relating to suspension or expulsion of party officials were never before the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court, contrary to interpretations being advanced by rival groups.
“The issue of suspension or expulsion was never canvassed at the Federal High Court nor formed part of the questions for determination at any level of adjudication”, the faction stated.
The group also launched a strong attack on former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, insisting that he no longer possessed the legitimacy to speak on behalf of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT). The faction reaffirmed the authority of PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, insisting that both men remained lawfully recognised leaders of the party.
“There has never been a vacuum, obstruction, or absence of leadership in our party that presupposes an interim takeover of the administration of the party by any authority”, the statement added.
According to the group, the current PDP leadership structure remains intact, lawful, and fully operational despite the controversies generated by the Supreme Court judgement.
The faction further accused rival elements within the party of attempting to destabilise the PDP through acts of lawlessness and disregard for court orders.
It is alleged that those behind the disputed Ibadan convention ignored valid judicial directives before proceeding with the gathering and had continued their activities even after the Supreme Court verdict.
The Wike camp argued that such actions exposed a broader agenda to weaken the opposition party from within.
In one of the most contentious parts of the briefing, the faction rejected claims that the PDP Board of Trustees possessed constitutional powers to assume control of the party or convene the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The group specifically challenged Wabara’s authority to issue statements on behalf of the Board of Trustees, claiming that his tenure as chairman of the body had expired long before the current crisis erupted.
“Most curious is the claim by Senator Adolphus Wabara, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees had long expired even before the onset of this crisis”, the statement read.
The faction insisted that the only legitimate leadership of the PDP Board of Trustees recognised by the camp was the one allegedly headed by Mao Ohuabunwa. It further warned that future infractions within the party would no longer be tolerated, suggesting the possibility of disciplinary action against dissenting members.
The Wike-backed group also appealed to media organisations to stop portraying the PDP as a factionalised party, insisting that despite the fierce internal disagreements, the party remained united under its current leadership.
The faction also criticised veteran broadcaster and political analyst Reuben Abati over comments reportedly made on Arise TV regarding the Supreme Court judgement. According to the group, Abati advanced what it described as a false narrative suggesting that the PDP lacked leadership despite allegedly not having access to the Certified True Copy of the court judgement.
Despite the deepening crisis, the Wike-aligned faction expressed confidence that the PDP would survive the internal turmoil and remain a formidable political force in the country.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
Deprecated: file_exists(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($filename) of type string is deprecated in /home/thewilln/public_html/staging.thewillnews.com/wp-includes/comment-template.php on line 1624