***ADC Targets Makinde, Bala Mohammed
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened following the decision of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to uphold the nullification of the party’s November 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, a development that has intensified uncertainty within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In its judgment, the appellate court affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court of Nigeria which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the convention.
The convention had produced a factional leadership led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, whose camp had challenged the lower court decision.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the party failed to comply with constitutional and statutory provisions guiding the conduct of national conventions.
The court noted that the PDP did not serve a valid notice of the convention on INEC and also failed to conduct valid congresses in more than 14 states as required by law, rendering the process defective.
However, the Turaki-led National Working Committee has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In a statement, the faction’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, said the party had directed its legal team to immediately approach the apex court for a final determination of the dispute.
He urged members to remain calm and united, expressing confidence that the legal battle would eventually be resolved in the party’s favour.
As the legal battle continues, the opposition landscape is witnessing fresh political calculations, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) attempting to attract key PDP figures.
An ADC chieftain, Usman Okai, has called on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed to leave the PDP and align with the ADC ahead of the party’s ward congresses.
Okai argued that the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Ibadan convention could pose a major risk for aspirants seeking to contest elections under the PDP platform.
According to him, if the convention is eventually nullified by the courts, candidates emerging from that structure could face disqualification.
The crisis comes at a critical time as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares for the 2027 elections.
INEC has fixed January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Party primaries are expected to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026, raising concerns that the PDP may struggle to resolve its internal disputes before the nomination process begins.
The prolonged leadership tussle has already triggered a wave of defections from the party, further weakening its standing as Nigeria’s main opposition platform.
Reacting to the judgment, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the ruling as an opportunity for the party to reset and rebuild.
He said the judgment confirmed that the Ibadan convention failed to meet legal requirements, stressing that compliance with the law must guide all party processes.
Wike called on party leaders to set aside personal interests and work towards unity, noting that rebuilding the PDP is necessary to sustain a strong opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also disclosed that arrangements were underway for a fresh national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where new national officers are expected to emerge.
