The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing renewed internal turmoil as competing factions within the opposition party have escalated their battle for control by sending conflicting communications to the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
War of Letters in the Judiciary
The latest development in the prolonged PDP leadership crisis emerged through a strongly worded letter dated November 26, 2025, written by Senator Samuel Anyanwu to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. In his correspondence, Anyanwu maintained his position as the legitimate National Secretary of the party while accusing former Deputy National Chairman Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja of impersonation.
Anyanwu described Arapaja's earlier petition to the Chief Judge as "malicious, frivolous and mischievous" and insisted that the ambassador lacks both legal and constitutional authority to represent the PDP. He emphasized that Arapaja's name does not appear in the official records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a national officer of the party.
Allegations of Judicial Interference
The conflict intensified when Ambassador Arapaja, claiming to act under the authority of the national chairman and the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), expressed serious concerns about the assignment pattern of PDP-related cases in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
In his letter dated November 19, 2025, Arapaja highlighted what he called a disturbing pattern where nearly all PDP cases in recent years have been assigned to only three judges: Justice James Omotosho, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, and Justice Abduimalik. He noted that despite the Abuja Division having twelve judges, these three have consistently handled PDP matters, creating what he termed "courts of particular concern" for the party.
Anyanwu countered these allegations, accusing Arapaja of attempting to "coerce the judiciary to depart from the position of justice" and undermining the rule of law and internal party democracy. He urged Justice Tsoho to disregard any correspondence from what he called "false claimants" to PDP leadership positions.
Deepening Crisis and Political Implications
The exchange of letters signals a worsening fracture within Nigeria's main opposition party, with the leadership crisis now spreading across multiple courts nationwide. Legal experts warn that the conflicting claims of representation could complicate both ongoing and future litigations involving the party.
Political observers note that the factional battle is increasingly drawing the judiciary into the center of the PDP's internal conflicts, with both sides using constitutional arguments to assert control over the party's administrative machinery.
As of the latest developments, neither the Federal High Court nor the Chief Judge's office had issued formal responses to the letters. However, sources within the judiciary indicate that the matter is being handled with extreme caution due to its sensitive political implications.
With tensions continuing to mount and more legal suits expected to be filed in the coming weeks, political analysts predict that the crisis could further fragment the PDP unless urgent reconciliation measures are implemented immediately.
