By Charles Pemu 
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition platform, has plunged into an even more severe crisis following a Federal High Court ruling that blocked the recognition of its proposed national convention in Ibadan. This legal setback immediately triggered a chaotic internal battle, with rival factions of the National Working Committee (NWC) announcing mass suspensions against each other’s key leaders.
Judiciary Halts Convention, Triggers Political Mayhem
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued a restraining order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the planned convention. The court’s decision, which questioned the legality of the convention, has been interpreted by the party’s mainstream leadership as a direct assault on its internal democratic rights.
The PDP leadership, while insisting the convention will proceed as scheduled, has strongly condemned the ruling as “prejudicial, premeditated and politically motivated.” PDP chieftain Sani Umar accused the court of judicial overreach, pointing out that the judge granted a relief, such as an order for a new 21-day notice to INEC, that the original litigants had not even requested. Umar further alleged that the court’s bias was obvious, revealing that the party is preparing to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) to challenge the judgment. The party’s next legal step is an appeal, coupled with a request for a stay of execution to permit the convention to proceed.
Suspension and Counter-Suspension Rattle the NWC
The political fallout from the court ruling was immediate and vicious. The dominant faction of the National Working Committee, acting first, announced the suspension of four key officials for alleged violations of the party’s constitution. Those suspended include National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha.
In a dramatic twist just hours later, a rival faction of the party retaliated, issuing its own round of suspensions. This group, reportedly aligned with powerful external interests, targeted National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four other NWC members, deepening the confusion over who genuinely controls the party’s administrative organs.
PDP chieftain Sani Umar sharply dismissed the counter-suspensions as “desperate, illegal and reactionary.” He argued that the faction lacked the legal authority and quorum to carry out the act, stating unequivocally: “It’s four against fifteen” NWC members who attended the meeting that initiated the first round of suspensions.
The Battle for 2027 and External Influence
Insiders suggest that the current turmoil is far more than a simple clash of personalities; it is an intense struggle for the party’s soul and structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior member of the National Executive Committee explained that the crisis reflects the long-standing power struggle between the party’s formal institutional organs and the powerful bloc of state governors who now dominate decision-making. As one source put it: “The governors are the number one pressure group in the PDP. He who pays the piper dictates the tune.”
Furthermore, party sources alleged that the divisions are being actively stoked by outside political interests, specifically pointing to a former governor working under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. These critics claim the ex-governor, who has publicly declared support for President Tinubu’s 2027 bid, is attempting to induce problems as a form of anti-party activity.
The re-emergence of former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido, has also been cited as a new flashpoint, with his recent alignment with the rival camp signaling a shift in the party’s internal alliances.
As the PDP grapples with internal rebellion, court battles, and a crisis of credibility, party elders warn that without genuine reconciliation and unified leadership, the opposition platform risks dangerous fragmentation just as the nation approaches the next election cycle.