Federal High Court Delivers Landmark Ruling on PDP Leadership Crisis
In a significant development for Nigerian politics, the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has issued a decisive verdict regarding the internal leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court has officially nullified the party's national convention that was conducted in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing political saga.
Court Orders and Leadership Recognition
According to the ruling delivered on Friday, January 30, 2026, the court has taken firm action against the Kabiru Turaki-led faction. The judicial authority has explicitly barred this group from presenting themselves as the national leaders of the PDP, effectively stripping them of any legitimate claim to the party's leadership structure.
Furthermore, the court has recognized and affirmed the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the only legitimate National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP. This recognition is set to remain in place until the party conducts a valid and properly constituted National Convention that adheres to all legal and constitutional requirements.
Political Factions and Power Dynamics
The court's decision directly addresses the deep-seated factional divisions within the PDP. The Abdulrahman and Anyanwu-led leadership has been identified as operating under the influence and control of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister faction, which is closely associated with Nyesom Wike.
In contrast, the now-nullified Turaki leadership was reportedly being controlled and supported by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his counterpart, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. This ruling therefore represents a significant shift in the balance of power within Nigeria's main opposition party, with implications for future political alignments and strategies.
The court's intervention comes at a critical juncture for the PDP, as the party seeks to reorganize and strengthen its internal structures ahead of future electoral contests. The ruling emphasizes the importance of proper constitutional processes within political parties and sets a precedent for how such internal disputes should be resolved through legal channels rather than through political maneuvering alone.
