PDP Clarifies Supreme Court Judgment, Denies Leadership Crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims of a leadership crisis within its ranks, stating that the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria did not invalidate its current leadership or endorse any faction.

Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday at Wadata Plaza in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the apex court’s ruling delivered on April 30, 2026, only nullified what he described as the “illegal Ibadan Convention” and dismissed an appeal filed by a group led by Kabiru Turaki for lacking merit.

Mohammed stressed that contrary to circulating narratives, the judgment did not address, uphold, or validate any suspension or expulsion of party officers.

“The issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court,” he said, adding that the apex court strictly confined itself to determining the legality of the disputed Ibadan conventions.

The PDP spokesman further maintained that the party’s leadership structure remains intact under its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, describing both as duly recognised and fully operational.

He accused certain individuals of deliberately misrepresenting the court’s decision in a bid to mislead the public and destabilise the party.

According to him, there has been no leadership vacuum that would warrant any interim takeover by another organ of the party, including the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Mohammed also dismissed claims that the BoT could assume control of the party or summon the National Executive Committee (NEC), insisting that no such powers exist within the PDP constitution.

He questioned statements attributed to former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, regarding the party’s leadership, arguing that Wabara’s tenure as BoT chairman had expired. He identified Mao Ohuabunwa as the legitimate leader of the BoT.

The party urged the public and media organisations to disregard what it described as “propaganda” and reaffirmed that there are no factions within the PDP.

Mohammed also took exception to comments made by media analyst Reuben Abati, criticising his assertion that the party lacked leadership.

He called on media professionals to exercise restraint and ensure accuracy in their analysis, particularly on legal matters.

The PDP reiterated its commitment to internal cohesion and urged members and supporters to remain steadfast, insisting that the party remains united and lawfully structured despite ongoing disputes.