Faction cites Supreme Court ruling and looming leadership vacuum, while party officials reject move and insist current structure remains intact.

By Ifeoma Onyekachi

Rival claims over party leadership intensify after Supreme Court ruling, with both camps asserting control

Fresh tensions have erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a faction of its Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Sen. Adolphus Wabara, announced an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, citing the need to stabilise the party amid a deepening leadership dispute.

Wabara, speaking in Abuja on Sunday during the 84th meeting of his faction, said the decision followed “recent developments” that threatened to create a leadership vacuum within the party.

He explained that the move was in line with provisions of the PDP constitution as amended in 2017, noting that the board secured the constitutionally required two-thirds consent of NEC members before convening the meeting.

“I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we have secured the required consent. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been duly notified of the 103rd NEC meeting scheduled for Monday,” Wabara said.

He urged party stakeholders to approach the meeting with a spirit of unity and reconciliation, stressing the need to reposition the PDP.

“We must act as the conscience of our party and provide direction,” he added.

Wabara further disclosed that the BoT stepped in to assume administrative leadership following a Supreme Court judgment delivered on Thursday, which he said averted a constitutional crisis.

According to him, the apex court nullified the 2025 national convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), while also upholding the suspension of key figures linked to the March convention in Abuja.

He maintained that Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Umar Bature remain suspended, insisting that their sanctions, imposed on November 1, 2025, were affirmed by the court.

“Despite our travails, our party remains strong and can never die. The PDP will never surrender to renegades or political brigands,” Wabara declared.

However, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed claims of any leadership vacuum, insisting that the PDP remains stable and fully functional.

He maintained that Abdulrahman Mohammed is the legitimate National Chairman and argued that the Supreme Court ruling only addressed the legality of the Ibadan convention, not the current leadership structure.

“There has never been any vacuum or absence of leadership in the PDP,” Mohammed said.

He also challenged the authority of Wabara’s faction, stating that the PDP constitution does not empower the BoT to assume the functions of the National Working Committee.

Mohammed further questioned Wabara’s legitimacy as BoT chairman, claiming his tenure had expired and asserting that the only recognised BoT leadership is under Mao Ohuabunwa.

The conflicting positions highlight growing divisions within the opposition party, raising concerns over its internal cohesion ahead of critical political engagements.