The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, scheduled for November 15 and 16, will not hold.

This position directly counters the directive of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), which earlier on Wednesday urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to proceed with preparations for the convention.

The faction, led by the acting national chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, maintained that the convention stands suspended based on a court ruling, despite ongoing arrangements by the main leadership.

As the feud lingers, the PDP national secretariat in Abuja remains sealed, forcing both factions to operate from alternate locations.

Earlier on Wednesday, the BoT convened its meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, attended by National Chairman Umar Damagum, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and other top members.

Meanwhile, Abdulrahman and his group held a parallel meeting at the private office of the embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in Wuye, Abuja, where they briefed journalists on their stance.

Abdulrahman explained that his group had obtained the Certified True Copy of the recent judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered a suspension of the convention.

He stated:

“The national leadership of the PDP, under my humble self and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has received the Certified True Copy of the judgment of Honourable Justice Omotosho in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
Our legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, has reviewed the ruling and provided a detailed legal opinion. Consequently, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal for further interpretation.”

He added that, pending the outcome of the appeal, the faction had resolved to suspend and cancel the planned Ibadan convention, describing any attempt to proceed as “a violation of the rule of law.”

According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a party to the case, had been duly notified of the judgment and instructed to suspend preparations for the event.

He also dismissed the ex parte order recently granted by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, insisting that it could not override the subsisting Federal High Court ruling.

“An ex parte order cannot supersede a judgment of the Federal High Court. The PDP remains committed to due process, constitutional order, and the unity of the party,” he said.

Despite the escalating crisis, Abdulrahman assured that the PDP remains one united family, dedicated to preserving its integrity and democratic values.

Oyo PDP: Convention Will Hold

The Oyo State chapter of the PDP, however, insists that preparations for the Ibadan convention are in full swing, dismissing opposing voices as distractions from “disgruntled and suspended members.”

The state chapter, loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde, reaffirmed its commitment to the leadership of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.

State Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, said:

“We must stop listening to political comedians. PDP is one under the leadership of Umar Damagum. The so-called faction is wasting its time. The NWC, BoT, and other party organs are united in ensuring the success of the convention.”

He expressed confidence that INEC would comply with the Oyo State High Court order allowing the PDP to proceed with the convention.

Ogunsina further advised aggrieved members to exercise restraint, saying,

“If the party leadership is magnanimous in addressing their actions, they should also be humble and respectful in return.”

PDP Secretariat Remains Sealed

Meanwhile, Senator Anyanwu explained that the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, remains locked for security reasons.

He recounted that on Monday, he narrowly escaped an alleged attack by hoodlums while at the secretariat, accusing the former chairman, Umar Damagum, of instigating the incident.

“When I got to the office to do my job, I was almost attacked by thugs acting under Damagum’s directives. If not for the police, lives would have been lost,” he said.
“As the secretary and custodian of the secretariat, I had to order everyone to stay away until safety could be guaranteed.”

Like Abdulrahman, Anyanwu affirmed that the Ibadan convention would not hold, arguing that the Federal High Court judgment takes precedence over the Oyo State High Court order.

He described the BoT meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge as a “gathering of friends and associates rather than an official BoT meeting.”

Anyanwu also revealed that he had written to the Inspector General of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) after receiving intelligence of a planned attack on the secretariat, which led to police deployment at Wadata Plaza.

With both factions holding firm to opposing positions, the fate of the PDP’s national convention remains uncertain as legal and political tensions intensify.