PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike’s Faction Petitions NJC Over Oyo Judge’s Order

The leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Monday after a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.

The petition challenges an ex parte order issued by Justice Akintola allowing the PDP to proceed with its national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. The Wike-backed faction described the ruling as a breach of judicial conduct and a direct contradiction of an earlier order by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had barred the party from holding the convention.

Two weeks earlier, Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja court restrained the PDP from proceeding with the event, citing the party’s failure to meet internal requirements for notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, Justice Akintola later issued a counter order permitting the Ibadan convention to go ahead.

The conflicting rulings have further split the party between two major camps — one led by suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, who aligns with Wike, and another headed by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.

In a petition dated November 5, 2025, and acknowledged by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 6, the petitioners — Austine Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah George — accused Justice Akintola of “judicial recklessness, impunity, and gross violation of due process.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Imo State PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu appeared alongside his Abia counterpart, Amah Nnanna, while Turnah George was absent. They alleged that Justice Akintola’s ex parte order of November 4, authorising the PDP convention, directly conflicted with the Federal High Court’s earlier decision in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 delivered on October 31.

Nwachukwu said the ruling “undermines public confidence in the judiciary and risks setting a dangerous precedent.” He urged the NJC to launch an investigation and sanction any judicial officer found to have acted outside legal boundaries. The petitioners also cited past cases in Rivers and Imo States where swift disciplinary measures were taken, insisting that the same standard be applied here.

Meanwhile, Justice Akintola on Monday adjourned hearing in a related case filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, and other respondents. The judge directed parties to file all pending processes and ensure full compliance with the party’s approved guidelines and timetable for the convention before adjourning the matter to Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Security operatives restricted journalists from entering the courtroom as the tension surrounding the case grew. The situation reflects the worsening divide in the PDP, now torn between opposing legal directives from courts in Abuja and Ibadan.

Justice Omotosho’s Abuja ruling had earlier ordered the PDP to issue a statutory 21-day notice to INEC and barred the electoral body from recognising any convention not conducted in strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution, and due process.

As both judgments stand in opposition, uncertainty looms over the PDP’s upcoming convention, further exposing the fragile state of the opposition party’s internal leadership structure.