Court Sacks Turaki-Led PDP Executives, Orders Security to Back Wike Camp

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened significantly after a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a decisive judgment that reshapes the party’s leadership battle.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik barred the Kabiru Turaki-led faction from accessing the PDP national secretariat and declared the party’s controversial Ibadan convention null and void.

The court held that the convention, conducted in Ibadan between November 15 and 16, 2025, violated existing court orders and contravened the provisions of both the PDP constitution and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

According to the judgment, the convention breached Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which mandates strict compliance with judicial decisions. Justice Abdulmalik emphasised that no political group or institution is above the law, declaring that all resolutions, leadership appointments, and decisions reached at the gathering are “null and void.”

The court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any outcomes from the invalidated convention. This effectively strips the Turaki-led executives of any legal authority within the PDP.

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In a related directive, the court ordered security agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services—to ensure that the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has unhindered access to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The suit was filed on November 21, 2025, by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu, who identified themselves as interim national chairman and secretary of the party. Backed by Wike’s camp, they challenged the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention and sought to stop the Turaki faction from acting on behalf of the PDP.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik also invalidated disciplinary actions taken during the convention, including the suspension and expulsion of party members loyal to the plaintiffs. She described those moves as unlawful and carried out in defiance of subsisting court orders.

The court stressed that political parties must operate within their constitutions and obey judicial rulings, warning that any attempt to undermine the rule of law threatens democratic stability.

With this judgment, the Wike-aligned faction appears to have gained a significant legal advantage in the ongoing PDP leadership crisis, although the Turaki camp may still challenge the decision at the appellate courts.

The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the opposition party as it navigates internal divisions ahead of future political contests.

 Court Sacks Turaki-Led PDP Executives, Orders Security to Back Wike Camp

Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He ‘Ran Away’ From Labour Party Crisis

Abuja, Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has sharply criticised former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of lacking leadership courage and commitment to manage internal party crises. Wike’s remarks came during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2026 National Convention held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Addressing delegates, Wike drew a parallel between Obi’s defection from the Labour Party and the recent departure of some PDP governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Leadership is not an easy task. Leadership requires courage. Leadership requires firmness. Leadership requires commitment,” Wike said. “When crisis came in the Labour Party, it was time it was required for him to show leadership. He ran away because he could not solve problems.”

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Wike criticised both Obi and the defecting PDP governors, claiming they had shown a fundamental absence of the qualities required to lead during challenging political moments.

“The presidential candidate of the Labour Party was given a platform to pursue his ambition. But when challenges arose, he abandoned it. The same thing applies to some governors who ran away when crises emerged,” he added.

Obi’s Political Realignment

Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, officially left the Labour Party in 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Since then, he has become a key figure in a growing opposition coalition that includes Atiku, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, all positioning to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Wike’s comments highlight the intensifying political rivalry within Nigeria’s opposition and reflect ongoing debates about leadership, loyalty, and party realignment as the country prepares for its next election cycle.

Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He ‘Ran Away’ From Labour Party Crisis

Abuja Convention: Wike PDP Faction Confirms Mohammed as Chairman, Anyanwu as Secretary

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially affirmed Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary of the party. The announcement was made during a high-profile convention in Abuja, attended by approximately 2,500 delegates from across Nigeria.

The convention also endorsed a 19-member National Working Committee (NWC) and other national officers aligned with the Wike faction. The resolution for the affirmation was proposed by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and seconded by Usaman Admu, reflecting the faction’s determination to consolidate its control of the party’s structure and strengthen its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

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Other key appointments affirmed include Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman (South), Yusufu Nya Akirikwen (SAN) as Deputy National Chairman (North), Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary, Odeyemei Mackson Oladiran as National Treasurer, and Lado Dan Marke as Deputy National Treasurer. Additional officers confirmed include Eyim Donatus Henry, Dr. Grema Kyari, Umar Mohammed Bature, Efere Augustine, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, Egwu Goodluck Chidiebere, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Barr. Aloysius Chinemelu U. Uba, Osuoha Okechukwu Donatus, Dr. Adaba Yatu, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, and Momoh Dejih Eugene Bashir. Professor Ogunshe Adedayo and Hauwa Ahmed Shinge were affirmed as national women leader and deputy national women leader, respectively.

The Wike-aligned faction described the affirmation as a critical step to strengthen internal party structure, enhance unity, and position the PDP for electoral success. Party supporters emphasized that the appointments were conducted following internal democratic procedures and with the backing of the majority of delegates present.

This move comes amid a long-running leadership dispute within the PDP, with rival factions, including those loyal to Kabiru Turaki, challenging the legitimacy of parallel structures and leadership appointments. Legal actions have been taken in courts by opposing camps to contest parallel conventions and assert authority over party leadership.

By holding the convention in Abuja, the Wike faction seeks to assert dominance at the national level and solidify its leadership ahead of upcoming elections, signaling an intention to play a decisive role in shaping the party’s strategy and candidate selections. Political observers note that the development may reshape internal dynamics within the PDP as the party gears up for the 2027 polls.

Abuja Convention: Wike PDP Faction Confirms Mohammed as Chairman, Anyanwu as Secretary