PDP to Challenge Wike-Backed Faction's Convention in Supreme Court
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared on Monday that it will legally challenge the outcome of a recent convention organized by a rival faction associated with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. This move comes as internal divisions within the party intensify, threatening its unity and structure ahead of future elections.
Legal Action and Court Proceedings
In a statement released by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP revealed that it has already approached the Supreme Court to seek a final resolution on disputes concerning its leadership and internal affairs. The party labeled the convention as illegitimate and in violation of ongoing legal processes, emphasizing that parties had previously appeared before the Court of Appeal and agreed on procedural steps before the event took place.
"For the avoidance of doubt, we state that the pre-Easter jamboree of APC sympathisers and members of 'Wike's Autocratic Party', which they mischievously tagged a PDP convention, was held in contempt of the Court of Appeal," the statement asserted. It further noted that the organizers' actions could undermine the party's resources, with the convention's validity now being a matter for judicial determination.
Recent Court Rulings and Appeals
The PDP also disclosed that a Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled in favor of the rival faction, granting it access to the party's national secretariat and ordering security agencies to provide protection during their occupation. In response, the PDP has instructed its legal team to immediately appeal this judgment and file additional applications to contest the ruling.
"We have taken this battle to the Supreme Court for the determination of all the issues relating to the leadership of our party," the statement added, expressing hope that the apex court would expedite hearings and adjudicate the matter promptly. The party urged its members to remain calm and trust in the judicial process, confident that the Supreme Court would clarify the leadership dispute and uphold constitutional provisions governing political party operations.
Escalating Internal Crisis
The leadership crisis, which has persisted for months, has fragmented the PDP into competing factions, raising concerns about control over party structures. The latest developments signify a significant escalation, with legal battles now extending across multiple courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. This ongoing conflict highlights the deepening rift within the party and its potential impact on electoral preparedness and cohesion.
