Kefiano Reacts as Supreme Court Voids Ibadan PDP Convention, Clears Way for Wike-backed Group
Published 3 May 2026 at 4:27 PM by Ridwan Adeola Yusuf
Top Plateau politician, Kefas Wungak Ropshik, has urged PDP members to embrace unity and reconciliation following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Ibadan convention. The decision, which favored the faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, has significant implications for the party's internal dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a split 3-2 decision, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, both of which nullified the Ibadan convention that produced Kabiru Turaki's faction. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Stephen Adah held that the convention was conducted in defiance of existing court orders. This ruling effectively ends the challenge to the faction of the party aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision, Ropshik, popularly known as "Kefiano," described the development as a defining constitutional moment for the party, urging members to exercise maturity and restraint. He stated, "The Peoples Democratic Party has, in recent times, endured significant internal turbulence, ideological contestation and factional divisions that have tested the resilience of our great party." According to him, while the Certified True Copy of the judgment is yet to be released, party members must resist the temptation to misinterpret the ruling for personal or factional gains.
Ropshik emphasized the need to accord legitimacy to the leadership currently recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, pending a comprehensive review of the court's decision. He added, "While the certified text of the judgment is yet to be formally released, wisdom dictates that the leadership presently recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission be accorded due legitimacy, rather than subjected to premature or self-serving interpretations of the court's decision." He cautioned against triumphalism or divisive celebrations, stressing that the moment calls for healing and rebuilding within the party. "This, however, is not a moment for triumphalism or factional celebration. It is a moment for reconciliation, unity and collective purpose," he noted.
The Plateau PDP governorship aspirant expressed optimism about the party's future, insisting that despite recent challenges, the party remains a formidable force in Nigeria's political landscape. He said, "Amid the uncertainties of recent months, one undeniable truth remains: the Peoples Democratic Party remains firmly on the ballot in this electoral cycle. That reality vindicates the loyalty and steadfastness of party faithful who refused to abandon the party in its most challenging season." He concluded on a hopeful note, urging members to remain steadfast and committed to the party's ideals, declaring, "The darkest days are behind us, and with unity and conviction, the light at the end of the tunnel is now clearly within sight."
The PDP has been embroiled in leadership disputes and legal battles in recent months, and this Supreme Court judgment is expected to shape the party's trajectory ahead of forthcoming electoral engagements. Earlier, Wike had asked the PDP to respect the court's judgments on the party's national convention. Ropshik's call for unity and reconciliation comes at a critical time as the party seeks to overcome its internal divisions and prepare for the 2027 elections.
