The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party is far from over as the faction loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, insisted that the national convention of the party slated for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital between November 15 and 16, will not hold.
Despite the position of the party’s Board of Trustees earlier on Wednesday, urging the National Working Committee to go ahead with the convention, the group led by the factional Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the event would not hold.
The national secretariat of the party remained sealed as the two factions resorted to the use of other facilities to run their respective groups.
Earlier on Wednesday, the BoT of the PDP, aware of the status of the secretariat, met at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.
It was an event attended by the National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum alongside the BoT chairman, Adolphus Wabara, ex-Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, and other party chieftains.
Similarly, Abdulrahman and his group met at the Wuye private office of embattled party secretary Samuel Anyanwu to brief the media about their activities since his emergence earlier in the week.
Abdulrahman said his group had gotten the Certified True Copy of Justice James Omotosho’s ruling, which last week put the convention on hold.
He said, “The national leadership of the PDP, under my humble self, in collaboration with our National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, hereby formally inform the Nigerian public that we have received the Certified True Copy of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Omotosho in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
“We are pleased to confirm that our esteemed National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, has provided a thorough legal opinion on the implications of the judgment.
“In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members and Nigerian democracy.
“Consequently, having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law in the PDP, we hereby suspend and cancel the proposed Ibadan national convention pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned.”
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, a party to the suit, “is fully aware of the judgment of the Federal High court.”
“We have deemed it necessary and responsible to formally communicate our position to the commission. Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the national convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgement,” he added.
He further argued that the ex parte order granted by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, cannot override the earlier ruling of Justice Omotosho.
“We are also aware of an ex parte order recently issued by a High Court in Oyo State. While we await the Certrfied True Copy of the said order, we reiterate that an ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court.
“We shall continue to act only in accordance with valid judicial authority and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As a responsible, law-abiding, and democratic institution, the PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy.
“Our actions will continue to be guided by legal advice, by respect for our members, and by our duty to protect the integnty of our party,” he added.
He assured Nigerians of the oneness of the PDP as one indivisible family despite its current travails.
‘Convention must hold’
However, the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party said it was focused on mobilising party members ahead of its national convention in Ibadan and will not be distracted by “charlatans and political comedians.”
The Oyo PDP is loyal to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, who fell apart with Wike following the lingering crisis in the party.
Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Micheal Ogunsina, on Wednesday, dismissed those he described as suspended party members masquerading as an alternative faction.
Ogunsina said the PDP remained united under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
He said, “We must stop listening to charlatans and political comedians. PDP is one, and the National Chairman is Umar Damagum. We should not give life to suspended national working committee members. Their words hold no water, and they are wasting their time.”
He said the NWC, BoT and other organs of the party were working towards the success of the convention in Ibadan next week.
“It is also critical to note that there is no division within our rank,” he added. “The NWC, BOT and all other organs of the party are working very hard to ensure that the national convention holds.”
He expressed confidence that INEC would comply with Monday’s Oyo High Court order by Justice Akintola that the PDP and Damagum should proceed with the Ibadan convention.
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