The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was thrown into a fresh leadership vacuum Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld the suspension of key national officers and nullified the party’s March 2026 National Convention, prompting governors and Board of Trustees (BOT) members to vow that “our party must not die.”
In a unanimous judgment delivered April 30, 2026, a panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mohammed Garba dismissed the appeal by the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) challenging the Court of Appeal’s nullification of the PDP’s Elective National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. The apex court also dismissed cross appeals by Sen. Sam Anyanwu and others seeking to overturn their suspension.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the judiciary lacks jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties. It upheld the suspension of Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, Umaru Bature, and Okechukwu Osuoha, declaring all actions taken by them during their suspension “null, void, and of no legal consequence whatsoever.”
Consequently, the court invalidated the purported National Convention held March 29–30, 2026, describing it as “an illegality and non-existent in the eyes of the law.”
It also stated that “the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman was illegal and voided all documents signed and decisions made by him.
The apex court further voided all administrative decisions, including communiqués, financial authorisations, and committee appointments, initiated by the Anyanwu-led faction during the suspension window.
The judgment directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), financial institutions, and security agencies to disregard any authority stemming from the invalidated convention or Mohammed’s leadership stating that “the party’s authentic leadership, as recognized prior to these illegalities, remains the sole authorized body to conduct official business.”
Hours after the judgment, governors and critical stakeholders of the PDP issued a position statement titled “Our Party Must Not Die”, read by Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Secretary of the BOT and former governor of Niger State.
“The interpretation of this judgement clearly leaves the party without any recognised leadership, as both groups previously laying claims to the leadership have been divested of all interests by this judgement,”_ the statement said.
It added that “We cannot therefore in good conscience allow the party to become rudderless and without direction.”
The stakeholders endorsed the interim takeover of party affairs by BOT Chairman Sen. Adolphus Wabara, describing the BOT as “the conscience of the party,” and called for an immediate National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to decide on new leadership and begin preparations for candidate selection ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Democracy thrives when there is a vibrant and capable opposition, which aligns with the wishes and interest of the people, not with the government,”_ the leaders stated. They pledged that decisions would be made “in the best interest of the survival of our party, not as an addendum of the All Progressives Congress.”
The stakeholders vowed that the PDP would neither collapse nor be “handed over to those who want to hold it down for the APC, or those who want to trade and negotiate with it.”
“Soonest, we will, after extensive consultations with the BOT and other critical stakeholders, announce the action plan for the survival of our party. By God’s grace, our party will not die. Like the phoenix, we will surely rise again,” the statement read.
The position was issued for and on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, BOT members, NEC members, National Caucus, PDP National Assembly Caucus, former ministers, state chairmen, and other stakeholders who attended an emergency meeting.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court ruling “restores constitutional order” by reinforcing the NWC’s power to discipline members in line with the party’s constitution.
Party members nationwide have been urged to remain calm as the PDP begins “institutional restoration.”
