Legal Rulings and Political Tensions in the PDP
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in a complex legal and political battle, with conflicting court rulings and internal power struggles threatening to destabilize the party. The situation has escalated following recent judicial decisions that have created confusion over the legality of the party’s upcoming national convention.
On Tuesday, an Oyo State High Court granted an ex parte motion filed by Folahan Adelabi, which sought to prevent the PDP from holding its proposed national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. The judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, adjourned the case for further hearing on November 10, 2025. This ruling contradicts a previous judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered on Friday, which had restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention until it complies with its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
In the Abuja case, Justice James Omotosho issued a ruling in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, directing the PDP to follow due process before holding the event. The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept or recognize any results from a convention conducted without proper adherence to the law. The suit was filed by three aggrieved members of the party: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The Oyo court ruling, however, appears to support the PDP’s plans to proceed with the convention. Justice Akintola granted all interim orders sought by the claimant, including a directive that the defendants—comprising the PDP leadership, INEC, and others—must not interfere with the event. The judge also ordered INEC to monitor the convention as per the Electoral Act.
Despite these developments, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the Oyo ruling, arguing that the Abuja judgment should take precedence. Through his Senior Special Assistant, Lere Olayinka, Wike questioned the validity of the ex parte order, suggesting it is temporary and not binding. He raised concerns about the hierarchy of court rulings, stating that the Abuja judgment explicitly barred INEC from participating in the event, while the Oyo court’s decision appeared to contradict this.
Internal Struggles Within the PDP
The legal challenges are compounded by internal power struggles within the PDP. Umar Damagum, the factional National Chairman, has taken decisive action against former members of the National Working Committee (NWC). On Tuesday, he wrote to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, notifying him of the suspension of several officers, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary.
Damagum’s letter, dated November 1, 2025, outlined the suspension of four officials based on alleged anti-party activities. The move follows the assumption of acting national chairman by PDP Deputy National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, who was backed by Wike and supported by Anyanwu and loyalists. Damagum vowed to reposition the party by “returning power back to the people.”
However, the suspension has drawn criticism. Timothy Osadolor, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, blamed the party’s governors for the ongoing crisis. He highlighted Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa as the only exception, praising his consistent leadership. Osadolor criticized the lack of proper procedures followed in suspending Anyanwu, calling the move “null, void, and illegal.” He urged the governors to step down from their positions and engage in negotiations to resolve the turmoil.
Osadolor also defended Damagum, describing him as a capable leader who could bring stability to the party if given full authority. However, he accused the governors of “hijacking” the party’s leadership, leading to the current state of chaos.
The Road Ahead
As the PDP faces mounting legal and internal challenges, the outcome of the upcoming national convention remains uncertain. The conflicting court rulings and power struggles between factions threaten to further divide the party at a critical time. With the judiciary playing a pivotal role in determining the legality of the event, the PDP must navigate these complexities carefully to avoid further instability.