By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Wednesday as the factional National Working Committee (NWC) aligned with the Minister of the FCT announced the suspension of the proposed National Convention, citing the need to uphold the rule of law pending the outcome of ongoing court cases.
Journalists were briefed in Abuja by the Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, who addressed the press alongside the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Convention Plans Halted
Alhaji Muhammed explained that the faction had obtained the Certified True Copy of the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025. He said this prompted the decision to pause all arrangements for the convention until legal issues are resolved.
“In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members and Nigerian democracy,” he said.
He added that going ahead with the convention now would amount to disobeying an existing court judgment, insisting that the PDP must set the right example.
“Having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law, the PDP hereby suspends and cancels the proposed Ibadan National Convention pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned,” he said.
Muhammed also confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was a party to the suit, had been formally informed of the decision.
“Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the National Convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgment,” he added.
Muhammed dismissed an ex parte order reportedly issued by an Oyo State High Court, saying it could not supersede the Federal High Court ruling.
“An ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court. We shall continue to act only in accordance with valid judicial authority and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Despite the internal crisis, the Acting Chairman stressed that the PDP remained united and committed to democratic values.
“As a responsible, law-abiding, and democratic institution, the PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy,” he said.
He assured party members that further updates would be made available.
“The PDP remains one united and indivisible family. We are strong. We are focused. We are committed to offering credible leadership, constructive opposition, and principled engagement in defence of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, unity, and prosperity.”
Questions Over BoT Meeting and Internal Legitimacy
Senator Anyanwu also spoke on the legal implications of the court orders and the status of the internal dispute.
“First, both the Federal High Court in Abuja and the State High Court in Oyo are equal. But as a matter of fact, the Federal High Court in Abuja has more powers because all federal institutions are in charge of that. The State High Court order is just an ex parte order which lasts only seven days. Before that ex parte order, the party had already filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal. And of course, when a new motion is filed in a new court, everything will stay pending the outcome of the appeal. So, we shall wait for the appeal,” he said.
When asked why he was absent from the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting held earlier, Anyanwu said he was not invited and questioned the meeting’s legitimacy.
“If I was not invited, that meeting is one-sided. Most of those people you saw today are not members of the Board of Trustees. Some of them were just newly recruited and have not been confirmed by the party. So, that is a meeting of friends and associates compared to the Board of Trustees,” he said.
He insisted that he remained a statutory member of key party organs.
“I am a member of the Board of Trustees. I am a member of NEC by my position as the National Secretary of this party. And I am the custodian of the secretariat of PDP. As we speak, the certificate of PDP is with me. So, I don’t see any founding father that would do anything without me being present in that meeting. That meeting is a nullity,” he said.
Security Concerns and Alleged Attack on Secretariat
On the closure of the PDP National Secretariat since Monday, Anyanwu said it was to protect staff following reports of possible violence.
“On the 1st of November, I wrote a letter to the IGP, the Nigerian Police, the Director of SSS, informing them of the information we got that they wanted to attack PDP. Based on that, they deployed security,” he said.
He alleged that he narrowly escaped an attack at the secretariat.
“I was almost attacked by hoodlums under the directives and instructions of Illiya Damagum, the former PDP chairman. If not for the intervention of the police, most of the staff would have been murdered,” he stated.
Anyanwu said the party was open to reconciliation but insisted it must follow due process and involve recognised party structures.
“PDP is a law-abiding party. We love peace. We want everyone to come together. The acting chairman is reaching out to all leaders of the party. I am sure in the next few days, I am going to write a letter for BoT members for us to really meet and discuss this issue,” he said.
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