Govs’ camp declares PDP leaderless, fixes BoT, NEC meetings

The governors-backed Peoples Democratic Party camp has insisted that the party is currently without a National Working Committee following the Supreme Court judgment.

The faction also announced that the Board of Trustees will convene an emergency meeting on Sunday ahead of a National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday to determine the party’s next line of action.

Announcing this after an expanded PDP National Caucus meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the BoT National Secretary and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, explained that the Supreme Court nullified the November 2025 convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led NWC, while also reaffirming the suspension of Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Samuel Anyanwu, and others.

He further stated that, by implication, the ruling also invalidated the March 30, 2026 convention that produced the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, which had the backing of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

In two split decisions of 3–2, the Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, which produced the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

In the majority judgment, the apex court held that the convention was conducted in breach of existing court orders restraining the PDP from proceeding with the exercise unless certain conditions were met.

The court further criticised the PDP for going ahead with the November 15 and 16 convention despite clear judicial directives requiring compliance with specified conditions before it could be held.

Following the ruling, the Wike-backed PDP faction led by Mohammed claimed victory, while the Makinde camp argued that the court’s upholding of the Court of Appeal’s suspension of Ajibade (SAN), Anyanwu, and others effectively leaves the PDP without a clearly defined leadership structure.

“To this end, we are certain that the existing organs of the party will take the necessary steps to salvage the party and confer leadership on it going forward. This leads the vehicle of our party towards a dangerous bend which, if not carefully navigated, may not only affect the party but also multi-party democracy in our country,” the governors-backed Turaki camp stated.

Reacting earlier, the BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, in a statement, said the organ has immediately assumed leadership of the PDP as a constitutional step to promote reconciliation, stabilise the party, and restore its political strength.

Aliyu also stated that they are open to genuine reconciliation and urged those who have left the party to return.

He continued, “We’re going to have a BOT meeting on Sunday and the NEC meeting on Monday, but most importantly, today the meeting has confirmed what our Constitution has provided—that in a case, particularly in the situation we are in, where the judgment in an ordinary sense would have said we were now without a National Working Committee, in situations like that, by our constitutional provision, the BOT will have to take over.

“And the BOT has taken over the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party. And as a party that has, since its inception in 1998, always been concerned with the welfare and the security of Nigerians.

“We have taken the judgment from the Supreme Court as it should be. We are very happy that the Supreme Court has come clearly on this matter. And with the situation that we are in, the judgment has already, as you all know and I believe, dismissed the appeal filed by Tanimu Turaki against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the elective national convention that was held in November 2025.

“And also, this means the cross-appeal by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and his team to uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the suspension of Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Senator Anyanwu, and others.

“The interpretation of this judgment, therefore, clearly leaves the party without any recognised leadership, as both groups previously laying claims to the leadership have been divested of all interests by this judgment. We cannot, therefore, in good conscience, allow the party to become leaderless and rudderless and without direction.”

He explained that the expanded National Caucus of the PDP is not opposed to the Board of Trustees assuming control of the party’s leadership.

Aliyu continued, “So decisions will be taken by the BOT, as I have already informed you. There will be the meeting on Sunday of the BOT and the NEC meeting on Monday, and the affairs of the party will continue.

“But most importantly, we are also making sure that we reconcile with everybody that is part of this party. We want everybody who, for one reason or the other, had left the party to really come back into the fold, now that the situation has been sorted out.

“Therefore, we ask all our members to remain steadfast, trusting that we will take decisions in the best interest of the survival of our party, not as an appendage of the All Progressives Congress. We are not an extension of any party.

“We are the Peoples Democratic Party. We know that democracy thrives when there is a vibrant and capable opposition, which aligns with the wishes and interests of the people, not necessarily with the government.”

He declared that they are resolute and will do their best to ensure that the PDP not only survives but also fields candidates in the 2027 elections.

The BoT Secretary stated, “Soon, after extensive consultation with other members of the BOT who are not necessarily here, and other critical stakeholders, we will announce the action plan. We know that we don’t have the time, but we will work assiduously to ensure that everybody who wants to contest under PDP is given that chance to do it.

“Therefore, all those who have given up, who have lost hope—Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. 240 million people cannot be subjected to a one-party state, and therefore, PDP will fill that gap. We are talking to all opposition leaders. Many of you are aware of our presence in Ibadan and some of the decisions we have taken. We will also continue to see the implementation of the major parts of those decisions.

“We are a law-abiding party. The CTC will come out by Monday, Insha Allah, and everybody will know the actual position. I know that there are confusionists who are giving some false information. But, yes, the suspension of those principal officers who have galvanised the other section has been reaffirmed by the judgment. Therefore, every action taken by suspended people, which has been reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, we believe they can understand that situation.