The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims of a leadership crisis within its ranks, insisting that the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 30, 2026, affirmed the party’s existing structure and nullified what it described as an “illegal” convention held in Ibadan.
Addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Friday, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said “there is only one PDP led by National Chairman Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu,” stressing that no faction exists within the party.
He said the apex court ruling “only nullified the illegal Ibadan ‘Convention’ and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led purported National Working Committee for lacking in merit.”
“This remains the sole substance of the judgment, contrary to the false narratives being circulated,” he said, adding that “the judgment did not uphold any suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party.”
The PDP spokesman explained that issues of suspension or expulsion were never before any of the courts that handled the matter.
“The issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, let alone the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court,” Mohammed said. “Accordingly, throughout the Supreme Court judgment, there was no mention whatsoever of suspension or expulsion of any party officer.”
He further maintained that its leadership structure remains intact and functional, dismissing speculations of a vacuum.
“There has never been a vacuum, obstruction, or absence of leadership in our party. “The leadership structure of the PDP remains intact, lawful, and fully operational,” Mohammed said.
He accused a rival group led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, of misrepresenting the court’s decision in a bid to destabilise the party.
“What we are witnessing is a desperate attempt by a rejected group to twist the clear facts contained in the judgment… in order to mislead the public and seek undeserved sympathy,” Mohammed stated.
It also criticised the continued actions of the group, alleging disregard for court orders. “The same individuals who disobeyed valid court orders to conduct the illegal Ibadan Convention have continued in their pattern of lawlessness,” he said.
On claims that the Board of Trustees (BoT) had taken over the party’s leadership, the PDP said such assertions were unfounded.
“There is no provision in the Party’s Constitution that grants the Board of Trustees the power to take over the leadership of the party,” he said.
The party further questioned the legitimacy of statements attributed to Senator Adolphus Wabara, noting that his tenure as BoT chairman had expired. It identified Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as the “only known legitimate leadership” of the board and warned against further “infractions.”
Reiterating its position, he urged the media to avoid portraying it as divided. “We wish to reiterate that there are no factions in the PDP,” Mohammed said, calling on media organisations “to desist forthwith from portraying or ascribing any factional status to the PDP.”
He also took a swipe at media commentary on the issue, specifically mentioning Arise TV’s Dr. Reuben Abati, describing it as “most unfortunate” his claim that the PDP lacked leadership, stating that he was “neither present in court nor privy to the Certified True Copy of the judgment.”
He commended party members for their loyalty during what he described as a turbulent period, urging them and the public to rely on “truth and legality” in assessing developments within the party.
