A court has invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention held last November, prohibiting a faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde from assuming leadership roles while affirming a caretaker committee backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as the legitimate interim authority, in a ruling that deepens internal rifts within the opposition group.
The Federal High Court here declared the November 15, 2025, gathering in Ibadan null and void, ordering figures like Turaki to cease presenting themselves as PDP national officers pending a properly convened assembly.
It upheld the Abdulrahman-led caretaker panel, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as secretary, as the sole recognized National Working Committee until fresh elections.
The verdict, celebrated by Wike supporters, stems from a suit challenging the convention’s legitimacy amid the PDP’s ongoing power struggles.
Wike’s aide Lere Olayinka shared the outcome on social media platform X, writing: “BREAKING: Federal High Court in Ibadan has nullified the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15, 2025. The court barred Turaki and others from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP.”
“The court also ruled that Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu is the only recognised NWC of the PDP pending the conduct of a valid National Convention. Na dem carry matter go court, na dem still lose,” he added.
Reacting to the decision, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong said the party would appeal, maintaining that the Turaki-led leadership remains “legally intact and unshaken” as the matter moves through appellate processes.
The decision marks a significant win for Wike’s camp, potentially stabilizing the party’s operations as Nigeria eyes the 2027 elections, though analysts warn it could exacerbate divisions in the fractured PDP.
