PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike Faction Rejects Ibadan National Convention

Abuja, Nigeria — The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared that the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan will not hold.

This position directly opposes the resolution of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), which earlier on Wednesday urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to proceed with preparations for the convention.

Despite the BoT’s directive, the faction led by the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, insisted that the event must be suspended pending the outcome of a pending court case. The PDP national secretariat in Abuja remained sealed as both factions operated from separate venues to run their respective affairs.

The BoT meeting, held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, had in attendance National Chairman Umar Damagum, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and other senior party figures.

Meanwhile, Abdulrahman’s faction met at the private office of the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, in Wuye, where they briefed the media on their legal stance. Abdulrahman confirmed that his group had obtained the Certified True Copy of Justice James Omotosho’s judgment, which restrained the party from holding the Ibadan convention. “We have received legal advice from our National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, and have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial interpretation” Abdulrahman said. “Consequently, we hereby suspend and cancel the proposed Ibadan national convention pending the court’s decision. Proceeding otherwise would violate the rule of law.”

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), being a party to the suit, had been formally notified to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.

Abdulrahman dismissed the Oyo State High Court’s ex parte order permitting the convention, insisting it could not override an existing ruling of a Federal High Court. “We reiterate that an ex parte order cannot supersede a subsisting judgment. We will continue to act in line with constitutional provisions and valid judicial authority,” he stated, adding that the PDP remains committed to unity and internal democracy.

In a swift reaction, the Oyo State chapter of the PDP reaffirmed its readiness to host the convention, dismissing Abdulrahman’s camp as “political comedians.”

The state’s Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, who spoke to newsmen, maintained that the party under Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum remains united and legally recognized. “PDP is one, and our chairman is Umar Damagum. We must stop giving attention to suspended members whose words hold no weight,” Ogunsina said.

He stressed that the BoT, NWC, and other party organs were working tirelessly to ensure the Ibadan convention succeeds and expressed confidence that INEC would obey the Oyo High Court’s order directing the party to proceed. “Those aggrieved must show humility and stop acting beyond reason. The leadership has been patient enough,” he added.

Meanwhile, Samuel Anyanwu explained that the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, remains sealed for safety reasons. He claimed that hoodlums attempted to attack him and staff under the instruction of former chairman Umar Damagum, forcing him to request police protection. “If not for police intervention, staff would have been harmed. Until there’s safety assurance, the secretariat will remain closed,” he said.

Anyanwu maintained that the Federal High Court’s ruling supersedes the Oyo court’s ex parte order, stressing that the appeal already filed makes it legally binding to suspend the convention.

With both factions holding firm to opposing court rulings, the fate of the PDP National Convention hangs in the balance, leaving Nigeria’s main opposition party at a critical crossroads.