Alex Enuma in Abuja
High Court Adjourns PDP Leadership Dispute Until July
Justice Salim Ibrahim has scheduled a hearing for July 10 to assess the genuine leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This decision comes amid a conflict between the faction led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP chaired by Tanim Turaki.
Court Hearing Unpacks Legal Arguments
Justice Ibrahim announced the adjournment following the examination of legal arguments related to a case filed by the PDP’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara. The suit seeks a judicial ruling to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Interim NWC under Turaki.
Litigation Stemming from Electoral Oversights
The plaintiffs initiated legal action through case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, citing the alleged failure of electoral officials to upload the names of the Turaki-led NWC to the INEC website ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Crisis Following Supreme Court Ruling
In a notable turn of events, the Supreme Court invalidated the national convention held in November 2025 in Ibadan, which resulted in the establishment of the Turaki-led national executive. Consequently, the Wabara-led Board of Trustees set up an interim leadership to manage the PDP until new elections can be conducted.
Opposing Factions Complicate Party Dynamics
After the term of the NWC chaired by Ambassador Ilya Damagun expired in December, factions loyal to Wike installed an interim national executive, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed to lead. Currently, the leadership recognized on INEC’s website is aligned with Wike, a status being challenged in court by the plaintiffs.
Notable Plaintiffs Join the Legal Fray
The list of plaintiffs includes notable figures such as the central bank governor and former Niger State governor, Muasu Babangida Aliyu, along with former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, and PDP leader Olabode George. They seek a court order for INEC to promptly update its records and publish the Turaki-led NWC on its official website.
Wike Faction Pushes Back on Suit
Justice Ibrahim also ruled in favor of a motion from the Wike faction opposing Wabara’s suit, allowing their participation in the proceedings. This faction argues that the Supreme Court has already addressed issues of party leadership and suspensions, suggesting that the matters at hand constitute internal PDP affairs, unsuitable for judicial intervention.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
In contrast, the plaintiffs maintain that the dispute is fundamentally between the PDP and INEC, which warrants judicial review. They referenced a prior ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which asserted that issues involving INEC were not solely internal to the PDP. Following extensive legal arguments, Justice Ibrahim announced that a determination would be made on July 10.
