Shockwaves rock opposition camp as legal battles, internal rifts threaten party’s survival ahead of 2027 polls
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into fresh crisis after a Federal High Court in Abuja halted its planned National Convention, forcing the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to summon an emergency meeting at its Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja.
The convention, earlier scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, was meant to mark a critical step in repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. But Friday’s judgment by Justice James Omotosho has now plunged the PDP into a deeper constitutional and leadership crisis.
According to The PUNCH, the emergency session will deliberate on the court verdict, strategize on possible appeal options, and discuss how to navigate what one senior member described as “a storm that could shake the foundation of the party.”
Justice Omotosho, ruling in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, faulted the PDP for flouting both its internal constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, ruling that the convention notice was defective and the preparatory congresses in several states were invalid.
He further held that the party failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and declared that any notice not jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary was unlawful.
“The PDP cannot operate outside the law,” Justice Omotosho said, stressing that “compliance with the Electoral Act is not an internal affair but a constitutional obligation.”
The court consequently restrained INEC from recognizing, monitoring, or publishing the outcome of any PDP convention not conducted in line with legal requirements.
The suit was filed by three aggrieved PDP chieftains—Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Zonal Secretary)—who alleged that valid state congresses were not conducted in at least 14 states before the convention notice was issued.
Nine defendants, including INEC, the PDP, and key members of its leadership, were listed in the suit.
The courtroom erupted in jubilation from the plaintiffs’ supporters immediately after the judgment, while the PDP delegation left in silence—some visibly shaken.
Reacting to the ruling, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, in a brief statement, described the verdict as “a temporary setback in the struggle to protect Nigeria’s democracy.” He added that the party would appeal immediately and ensure that the convention “holds lawfully and successfully.”
In a separate development, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has also approached the court, seeking to stop the same convention, claiming that the PDP’s internal processes had sidelined aspirants, including himself, from contesting for the position of National Chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu, however, refused to grant Lamido’s request for interim orders, directing all defendants to file their responses within 72 hours.
Inside sources told Politics Nigeria that Friday’s judgment has sent shockwaves through the PDP hierarchy, with some senior officials warning that the party risks implosion if urgent reconciliatory measures are not taken.
“This judgment is more than a legal blow—it’s a wake-up call,” said a member of the PDP National Executive Committee. “We must fix our internal cracks now or risk losing our identity before 2027.”
Political analysts say the ruling could further deepen factional divisions, especially between loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and those of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who have been at odds over control of the party machinery.
As the NWC meets behind closed doors today in Abuja, expectations are high that the party may announce an appeal, a new convention date, or even a reshuffle within its leadership ranks to calm tensions.
For now, the PDP finds itself at a crossroads—torn between legal battles, leadership rivalry, and the urgent need to prove that it remains Nigeria’s most viable opposition platform.
PIONEER NEWS 