Tag: PDP

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday tasked the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the need to urgently “put their house in order” ahead of critical off-season elections.

INEC gave the admonition during a meeting to which it summoned both PDP factions, aimed at strengthening compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Commission’s regulations ahead of forthcoming elections.

The session, which began mid-day, brought face-to-face the Tanimu Turaki-led bloc and the faction backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

Turaki arrived with members of his National Working Committee, secretariat staff and former Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu.

Mohammed was accompanied by members of his caretaker committee, including Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Addressing party leaders at the meeting, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the engagement became necessary following a number of correspondences received from different quarters within the party, requesting the Commission’s intervention on various issues.

With the FCT Area Council polls and two governorship elections around the corner, INEC appears keen to avoid administering elections while the main opposition party remains fractured.

“We are determined to ensure that we follow the provisions of the law. We want to move forward as a family,” Amupitan told the factions.

“The FCT election is coming up on the 1st of February 2026, while the Ekiti election will be coming up in June 2026, and Osun in July 2026.

“We are on course to ensure that we have a very smooth election, but having received conflicting correspondences from the PDP, we felt that rubbing minds together would help forge the way forward concerning these elections,” he stated

“We are mindful of the need to maintain the sanctity of the Constitution, which is the ground norm,” he added.

Speaking after the meeting, Turaki disclosed that his team had been invited “only last night,” and assumed the talks would centre on “housekeeping issues” earlier raised with INEC.

However, he said they were surprised to learn that “some former members of our party who had earlier been expelled were also invited.”

According to him, INEC explained that the presence of all parties was necessary “with a view to looking for possible solutions that will resolve what the chairman described as lingering problems within the PDP.”

Turaki said his faction had laid out its position clearly: “We made presentations of what we think the issues are, and INEC has listened to us.

“Even though these matters are before the Court of Appeal and have not been heard, INEC said they will look into what we submitted very seriously.”

He added that the Commission worked late into Thursday night assessing the situation of all parties.

“INEC is an umpire and will always want to conduct an election that is transparent and acceptable. Where major participants are unable to participate, it casts a dark shadow on the outcome,” he noted.

On whether the meeting recognized the authenticity of his faction, Turaki said: “When elders sit to settle a land dispute, they know who the legitimate owner is, but both sides must be heard so that no one claims they were denied fair hearing.”

Turaki also urged INEC to probe the roots of crises within opposition parties.

“I wish INEC was in a position to make an inquiry into the sources of these conflicts being created in some leading opposition parties,” he said, insisting that his faction remained committed to holding the ruling APC “accountable to best practices, the rule of law, security, infrastructure decay, injustice and other issues affecting Nigerians.”

On his part, Senator Sam Anyanwu, who spoke for the Wike-backed Abdulrahman Mohammed group, insisted that the leadership of the PDP properly expired on December 9, 2025, creating a vacuum that justified the appointment of a caretaker committee by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees BoT.

“The life span of the leadership expired on December 9. A caretaker committee was appointed with Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed as Chairman and I as Secretary.

“The court nullified the convention in Oyo State, so there was no valid convention. Nature abhors vacuum”, he said.

He praised INEC’s approach, saying: “The INEC chairman is a man blessed with wisdom. The way they spoke to us showed that they really wanted us to continue to exist as the major opposition party.”

Anyanwu linked the PDP crisis to “greed, ambition and ego of some people,” but reassured supporters that “PDP is still PDP. Nigerians know that PDP has a mechanism for managing internal crisis, and we will come out stronger.”

He urged aggrieved members to return. “We are going to tell our brothers to come back home. Reconciliation means coming back and then we do a convention.

“Some of them might be lucky to emerge as leaders from their states, but for now, the only recognized body is the caretaker committee of the party”.

By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA

Tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) eased markedly on Wednesday after state chairmen from across the country pledged full loyalty to the National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Chairman, Dr Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a development that signals growing consolidation in the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during an interactive session at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where members of the newly inaugurated NWC met with the Forum of State Chairmen to review the party’s challenges, prospects, and strategic direction.

Both Dr Turaki and the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, who also leads the Edo State chapter, addressed the gathering.

Speaking on behalf of chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Aziegbemi declared, “We are here today to send a clear message: We are solidly behind the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP NWC. We acknowledge the challenges, but more importantly, we see the unwavering dedication of the NWC to upholding the party’s constitution and preparing us for future electoral victories.”

The Forum condemned what it described as attempts to destabilise the PDP and urged stakeholders nationwide to support the NWC while allowing the party’s constituted organs to function without interference.

“Our focus must remain on the Nigerian people. The PDP is a democratic institution, and we must allow the National Working Committee to perform its duties without undue pressure,” Aziegbemi stressed.

He further commended the new NWC for initiating early programmes aimed at strengthening the party structure and ensuring that forthcoming congresses and internal processes strictly comply with the PDP constitution.

In his remarks, Turaki said the presence of 27 state chairmen, alongside apologies from two absent states and ongoing efforts to reconstitute dissolved chapters, showed that those parading themselves as leaders of ‘factions’ within the PDP lacked credibility.

“If all the state chairmen are here with us, then who is it that is not with us? If all the state chairmen are supporting us, then who, sincerely speaking, can be fighting us?” he asked.

Highlighting the PDP’s national depth, Turaki described the state chairmen as the party’s equivalent of “General Officers Commanding”, with local government and ward executives forming the next layers of command.

“PDP is the only party that has a presence in every unit, in every ward, in every local government in this country. And this is verified,” he said.

He thanked the chairmen for their support during the elective convention in Ibadan, praising them for mobilising delegates and for being the first organised bloc to congratulate the new NWC.

Turaki said the meeting was deliberately convened early in the NWC’s tenure to enable frank discussions on the state of the party, address emerging concerns, and jointly outline urgent steps needed for rebuilding and stabilisation.

“Unless we talk to ourselves freely and honestly, then we will not be able to achieve results within the shortest possible time. This new leadership means business, and business we shall do,” he stated.

He also took aim at the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of reversing many gains made during the PDP’s 16-year rule. According to him, Nigerians were increasingly nostalgic for the pre-2015 era.

“Whenever Nigerians speak, they beg: if you can take us anywhere further, please take us back to where we were in 2015,” he said.

The meeting climaxed with a renewed pledge of allegiance to the Turaki-led NWC, as the chairmen vowed to work collectively to reposition the PDP as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

A total of 27 state chairmen, including the FCT, attended the session.

Vanguard

 

 

The convention began despite the litigation that has trailed it for weeks.

By Alexander Okere

Kefas, Fubara and Adeleke

 

As the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets underway in Ibadan, Oyo State, some prominent figures, including governors, in the opposition party, have yet to arrive.

They include governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Sim Fubara (Rivers), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), who have not been sighted at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, venue of the ongoing convention.

Present at the exercise are Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Also present are the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; a former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, his Gombe counterpart, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; the Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and a chieftain of the party, Bode George, among others.e

The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mohammed, Makinde, Others Receive Flags

Meanwhile, leaders of the PDP have received the flags of the party, the Nigerian national flag, and the national convention flag, among others.

Damagum received the flag of the PDP, while Fintiri, who is also the chairman of the national convention, received the national convention flag.

The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, received the Nigerian flag, with the host governor, Makinde, receiving the Oyo State flag.

Other leaders who received flags at the event were Moro, who received the Senate flag, and Fred Agbedi, who received the House of Representatives flag.

The convention began with the accreditation of the over 3,000 delegates, who have converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

PDP National Convention in Ibadan. Photo Credit: PDP

The accreditation process for delegates from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, which is preparatory to the voting exercise, started in the afternoon.

Ibadan had been agog since Friday as party faithful from across the country berthed in the city.

The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Governor Makinde had on Friday hosted a dinner, which was attended by PDP governors, former governors, the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the party’s National Working Committee.

Convention Amid Litigation

The convention began despite the litigation that has trailed it for weeks.

The venue of the exercise is buzzling with activities and delagates from different parts of the country dressed in colouful attires.

There is a heavy present of security, comprising different law enforcement agencies, at the venue to maintain order during the convention.

Since the national convention was announced, some members of the party loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, insisted that some issues, including the conduct of congresses, be resolved.

The development led to further division in the PDP, with Damagum and Abdulrahman Muhammed heading the two factions of the party.

While the Damagum group insisted on the convention, the Abdulrahman camp cancelled the convention following the judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court.

The BoT, led by Wabara, insisted that the national convention would go ahead as planned, despite an order by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the party from holding its 2025 convention in Oyo State.

Also, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday adjourned its decision on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction in a separate suit filed by PDP member Folahan Adelabi, who is also seeking to stop the convention.

 

 

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday expelled high-profile members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; factional National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; factional Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State; Austin Nwachukwu; and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This was according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles on Saturday.

The statement read: “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.

“The decision, which was promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates, underscores the party’s commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have plagued its progress.”

 

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, restrained INEC from monitoring or recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention until a chairmanship nomination form is made available to ex-Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa for purchase.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, also restrained the PDP from proceeding with its Saturday and Sunday’s national convention until Lamido is allowed to purchase nomination form for the office of the national chairman of the party.

Justice Lifu held that the PDP, by its conduct, had breached its own party’s guidelines and constitution.

According to Justice Lifu, a party is bound to obey its own constitution.

The judge said that the PDP’s argument that the instant suit bordered on the internal affairs of a political party did not hold water.

“On the issue of internal affairs of a political party, it has been held that where a political party breaches or infringes on its own rule, its constitution and guidelines, that cannot be an internal affairs.

“To so hold will mean the court should close its eyes to impunity, illegality, rule of law and rascality.

“This court will be losing its statutory functions when such approach is adopted as the law and will be meaningless because it will create great danger to man, society and humanity.

“To every law, there is an exception. A breach of a statutory provision appears to fit into the exception,” he said.

According to him, no political party should be allowed to profit from the violation of its own rule or the national constitution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lamido, in the fresh suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, named the PDP and INEC as 1st and 2nd defendants initially.

However, the court joined Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), as 3rd to 5th defendants respectively.

NAN recalls that the 3rd to 5th defendants were plaintiffs, who earlier got judgment against PDP on Oct. 31st before Justice James Omotosho.

In the instant suit, Lamido had sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling PDP to make available to him for purchase, nomination form for election into the office of the national chairman of the party, among others.

The ex-governor contended that if the PDP was not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party of which he is eminently qualified to contest.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu, citing previous case, held that the argument of alleged failure of Lamido to explore the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism would not deprive the curt of jurisdiction to entertain the suit,

“From the facts elicited from the plaintiff’s pleadings, he approach the National Organising Secretary and the Secretary of the 1s defendant on the 27th of October, 2025 with the purpose of obtaining the nomination form for the conduct of 1st defendant national convention.

“He was turned down by those two national officers on the ground that there were no nomination forms to be given.

“This was the basis for this case as the plaintiff felt cheated and denied the opportunity to participate and contest for the position of chairman of the 1st defendant,” he said.

The judge observed that by Article 9(h) of the PDP’s guideline, it categorically states that, “Nominations at zonal and national levels shall close at least 14 days to the start of the National Convention.”

According to the judge, the plaintiff was denied nomination forms on 27th October, 2025.

“Nomination closes 14 days to convention. From October 27th, 2025 to eve of convention which is 14th November, 2025 is 19 days, i.e. five days higher and longer than the closing days of 14,” he said.

Besides, Justice Lifu observed that Exhibit PDP-1 attached to the PDP’s consequential amended counter affidavit stated that the sale of nomination forms and expression of interest forms for national offices were to take place between Sept. 3 to Sept. 22, and that the last day of submission of the form was said to be Sept. 26.

“Curiously, Exhibit 6 attached to plaintiff’s counter affidavit to 1st defendant’s affidavit showing cause stated the following:

“Today being 27th October, 2025 is the final day of submission of nomination forms,” he said.

According to the judge, this exhibit runs contrary to Exhibit PDP-1 which stated 26th September as the last day of submission of forms.

“Furthermore, Exhibit-6 also stated:

“Today is not for selling of forms, it is for submission. If anyone went to Wadata House looking for forms, they went to the wrong place.

“We have followed due process and submitted our forms. How we got the form is immaterial; the important thing is that we complied with the party’s guidelines.”

Justice Lifu, who observed that the above quotation came from the camp of the alleged PDP consensus candidate, said this “suggested an irregular, clandestine mode and non-transparent process leading to the selling of forms or collection of the nomination forms meant and kept for special people.”

The judge said the exhibit was never denied by PDP in its affidavit.

“Convention of a national party is a process commencing from collection of expression of interest and nomination form to election at the convention.

“Democratic tenets demands consensus building, transparency dialogue and inclusivity which from all indication is lacking in the build up to the convention schedule for 15th and 16th of November, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria.

“In addition to the above, Exhibit PDP-1 has no date on it.

“There is no evidence from available facts before the court that that exhibit being a Timetable and Schedule of Activity leading to the convention was never published to members.

“The logo of the 1s defendant is not the one appearing on the exhibit. The motto with the popular words ‘Power to the People’ is not stated or seen anywhere in the Exhibit.

“This document or exhibit to say the least has no evidential or probative value in law,” he held.

Consequently, Justice Lifu said all the three issues raised in the originating summons by the plaintiff were answered in the affirmative.

“On the whole, the case of the plaintiff succeeds and judgment is hereby entered in his favour,” he said.

The judge then declared that the PDP is under obligation to create opportunities for its members, including Lamido, to serve by putting in place deliberate measures and conducive atmosphere aimed at enabling any party member who is eligible to contest for any of the party offices, including the position of the national chairman of the party to realise his aspiration.

He declared that by denying Lamido the opportunity to exercise his constitutional right, the PDP was in breach of its own guidelines and constitution.

Justice Lifu, therefore, made an order compelling the party, before any convention is held, to make available to Lamido for purchase, nomination form for election into the office of the national chairman scheduled for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 or any other date the party may determine.

He also made a consequential order, directing the PDP to put on hold the convention until Lamido is allowed to obtain the form, mobilise and campaign for the election in the national convention.

“An order is hereby made prohibiting the 2nd defendant (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or in any manner whatsoever aiding or recognising the 1st defendant’s conduct of election into the office of the national chairman” until Lamido is allowed to participate in the poll.