With no unified interpretation emerging, the PDP now faces renewed uncertainty over its national leadership structure, further intensifying one of its most severe internal crises in recent years.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into fresh turmoil following two sharply conflicting statements from its Board of Trustees (BoT) over the implications of the Supreme Court judgment, with both sides claiming authority over the party’s national leadership.
In one press release signed by BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, the Board declared that it had assumed control of the party’s national leadership, citing constitutional provisions and the need to prevent what it described as a leadership vacuum.
The statement argued that the Supreme Court judgment invalidated both the November 2025 Ibadan national convention and the subsequent leadership structures that emerged from it.
It further stated: “The implication of today’s judgment is that all actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade… are illegal, null and void ab initio.”
The Wabara-led BoT added that, “the statutory onus of leadership now rests on the Board of Trustees as the second highest organ of the party,” adding that it had assumed responsibility to stabilise the PDP and prepare for an interim leadership arrangement.
However, a second statement also issued in the name of the BoT backed by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, presented a completely opposing interpretation of the same Supreme Court ruling.
That statement signed by bloc’ BoT Chairman, insisted that the judgment did not create a vacuum but instead affirmed the legality of the existing leadership structure under Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
It stated: “The legal position remains clear and unambiguous: the Ibadan convention stands nullified, and any structure emanating therefrom has no legal foundation.”
It added that the recognised leadership “remains the valid and stabilising authority to guide the affairs of the party at the national level.”
The statement urged party members to remain calm, adding: “The PDP remains strong, resilient, and committed to its historic mission.”
The contradictory positions have created confusion within the opposition party, as both statements claim legitimacy from the same Supreme Court ruling while arriving at opposite conclusions on who controls the party.
Political observers say the development reflects a deepening institutional split within the PDP, with rival blocs now openly invoking constitutional and legal arguments to justify competing leadership claims.
The situation was further complicated as the camp aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly held a separate press conference, rejecting any declaration of a BoT takeover and insisting that the existing leadership structure remains intact.
With no unified interpretation emerging, the PDP now faces renewed uncertainty over its national leadership structure, further intensifying one of its most severe internal crises in recent years.