The Nigerian opposition entered a phase of legal clarity and uncertainty on Wednesday after the Supreme Court resolved the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while ordering a lower court to hear the African Democratic Congress (ADC) dispute, setting the stage for the 2027 general elections.
Supreme Court Nullifies PDP Convention
In a split decision of three to two justices, the apex court nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The majority judgment, delivered by Justice Stephen Adah, upheld an earlier Court of Appeal ruling that voided the convention which produced Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as chairman, citing violation of a subsisting Federal High Court order.
The trial court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had restrained the party from conducting the convention until founding member Sule Lamido was allowed to contest for the national chairmanship. Lamido had argued he was denied the opportunity to obtain nomination forms, a position upheld by the court, which directed that he be given time to purchase forms, mobilise and campaign.
The Supreme Court held that the PDP proceeded with the convention despite the order, describing the action as disobedience of a valid court directive and an abuse of court process. Justice Adah stated that any litigant who engages in abuse of court process does so at his own risk, adding that the Turaki-led faction acted in disregard of the law. The court declared the convention null and void and dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.
The apex court also dismissed cross-appeals in the matter, including challenges to the judgment of Justice James Omotosho, which had earlier restrained the party from holding the convention for failing to conduct valid state congresses as required by the constitution, the Electoral Act and party guidelines. The case at the Federal High Court followed a suit filed by three PDP members—Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna and Turnah Alabh George—challenging the process leading to the convention.
In their dissenting opinions, Justices Haruna Tsamani and Sadiq Abubakar Umar held that the appeal had merit and should be allowed. They ruled that the issues raised were internal party matters and therefore not justiciable. Justice Umar further held that Lamido did not exhaust the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms and that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction.
ADC Leadership Dispute Remitted to Federal High Court
In a separate unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ordered that the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress be returned to the Federal High Court for determination on its merits. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba held that the “status quo ante bellum” order earlier granted by the Court of Appeal, which formed the basis for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold recognition of the party leadership led by David Mark, was unnecessary and improperly granted. The court held that the substantive issues in the ADC leadership dispute should be fully heard and determined by the Federal High Court.
PDP Board of Trustees Assumes National Leadership
In a swift move, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) said it has assumed national leadership of the party following the Supreme Court judgment. In a statement, BoT chairman, Adolphus Wabara, said the decision was based on provisions of the party's constitution to prevent a leadership vacuum at the national level. The BoT said the apex court nullified the PDP's national convention held between November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
It added that the court also upheld the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature and Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organising Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively. According to the BoT, the ruling renders invalid all actions taken by the affected officials, including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting national chairman, the composition of a National Caretaker Working Committee and the conduct of the March 29, 2026 convention in Abuja.
The board said the invalidation of both the Turaki-led and Abdulrahman Mohammed-led committees places responsibility for national leadership on the BoT as the second highest organ of the party under Section 32(5) of the PDP constitution. It said it has assumed responsibility for the party's national leadership as an interim measure and will convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to appoint an interim National Working Committee.
The BoT added that the planned committee will manage the party's affairs, ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and position the PDP to field candidates in the 2027 general elections. It directed the party's staff to resume at the national secretariat under its leadership pending the appointment of a new working committee. The board also commended PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, alongside other party organs, for their support during the crisis.
“The BoT therefore calls on all leaders and members of the party to jettison all personal and group interests and come together as one family in the overall interest of our party, democracy and the well-being of millions of Nigerians whose hopes are anchored on the PDP. The PDP has suffered enough; the painful victims of this unfortunate episode is the Nigerian people. The time has therefore come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords and embrace genuine reconciliations for lasting peace and chart a new course for our party,” the statement added.
Wike Says Supreme Court Ruling Ends PDP Leadership Crisis
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the judgment of the Supreme Court has brought an end to the protracted leadership crisis within the PDP, declaring that the party no longer has factions. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike stated that the ruling dismissed claims of a “Turaki faction” and affirmed the party's national convention held in Abuja, while nullifying a parallel convention conducted in Ibadan.
“Today marks the end of the so-called factions in PDP. The Supreme Court has finally nailed that issue. There is nothing like a Turaki faction anymore,” he said. The former Rivers State governor explained that the apex court dismissed multiple appeals filed by the Turaki group challenging earlier decisions of lower courts on disputes arising from party leadership and conventions. He added that one of the appeals arose from a judgment of the Court of Appeal involving former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, which was also dismissed.
Wike further said the court upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which found certain actions of the rival group inconsistent with the party's constitution, the Electoral Act and other extant laws. “With this judgment, our convention has been affirmed, and the so-called Amala Convention in Ibadan has been set aside. What this means is simple: there is only one PDP,” he said.
He maintained that the party remains united under the leadership of acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, adding that the era of parallel structures within the PDP has ended. On recent political realignments, Wike dismissed ongoing coalition talks involving opposition figures, including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, stating that the PDP is not part of such arrangements. “We are the main opposition party. We are not involved in any coalition. I don't know where they are heading,” he said.
The minister also criticised the ADC, saying recent court developments have complicated its position. On the possibility of welcoming defectors back to the PDP, Wike said those who left due to uncertainty may return, while those who worked against the party would not be readmitted. “Those who left out of uncertainty may find their way back now that clarity has been restored. But those who worked against the party and became liabilities will not be welcomed back,” he said.
He rejected suggestions of forming a broad opposition alliance with other parties, including the ADC, describing such arrangements as potentially “destructive.” “We don't do opposition for opposition's sake. Opposition should be constructive, not to destabilise the country. We cannot work with groups whose approach is purely disruptive,” he added.
On the legal implications of the judgment for the ADC, Wike said the Supreme Court directed the party to return to the Federal High Court for substantive hearing of its case, while vacating the “status quo ante bellum” order earlier issued by the Court of Appeal. “In essence, the case must continue at the Federal High Court until a final judgment is delivered. As it stands, the ADC is in a difficult position,” he said.
Wike likened the situation to the PDP's earlier internal disputes, where multiple court rulings reinforced one another and clarified the party's legal standing. He also addressed concerns over the status of certain party officials, stating that issues relating to suspension had been resolved by the party's national convention. “If there were any suspensions before, the fact that those individuals contested and were elected at the convention shows that such issues have been settled,” he said.
He urged party members to move forward, insisting that the Supreme Court judgment has conclusively resolved all lingering disputes. “The courts have spoken clearly. The PDP convention and its leadership have come to stay. There is no basis for further controversy. The party is now united, and we will move forward as one,” he said.
ADC Hails Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Mark, Aregbesola Leadership
The African Democratic Congress has welcomed the ruling by the Supreme Court affirming David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, describing the decision as validation of its leadership. In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the judgment confirmed that the decision of INEC to de-recognise the Mark-led leadership was faulty.
The ADC said the ruling reinforces the primacy of the rule of law in Nigeria's democratic system and commended the five-member panel of the apex court for what it described as a unanimous judgment that strengthens confidence in the judiciary. “The African Democratic Congress congratulates all our members and leaders across the country on today's Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the leadership of our party under Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. Today's decision is a clear and unequivocal affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate,” the statement said.
The party added that the ruling resolves disputes over its leadership and affirms that the rule of law should guide democratic governance. While welcoming the judgment, the ADC said it does not mark the end of its political struggle, alleging attempts to weaken opposition voices. “We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant,” it said.
The party renewed its call for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, stating that the circumstances surrounding the dispute raise questions about the commission's impartiality. “In light of this ruling, the ADC reaffirms its long-standing position that Prof Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of INEC, must resign,” it said. The ADC also urged INEC to restore recognition of the Mark-led leadership across its official platforms and communication channels. It maintained that it would continue to act in defence of democracy, justice and the interests of Nigerians.
Atiku Says Opposition Struggle Not Over Despite Supreme Court Ruling
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition movement remains ongoing despite the Supreme Court ruling affirming David Mark as leader of the ADC. In a statement posted on his official social media account, Atiku described the judgment as a significant milestone but cautioned supporters against complacency. “Even as we welcome the Supreme Court's firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency. The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country,” he said.
He dedicated the outcome of the legal dispute to Nigerians, describing them as resilient in the face of political and economic challenges. “This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future. We thank them, and we urge them to remain steadfast, because the struggle is far from over,” he added. Atiku called for sustained vigilance, stating that democratic progress depends on continued public engagement and unity. “As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said.
Yoruba Ronu Backs Mark's Leadership After Supreme Court Verdict
A South-West socio-political group, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has commended the Supreme Court for its ruling on the leadership crisis in the ADC, describing the decision as a boost for democracy and judicial independence. In a statement issued in Lagos by its President, Akin Malaolu, the group praised the court for restoring the leadership of David Mark following the dismissal of an appeal filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The forum said the ruling, which also set aside the status quo order earlier imposed by the Court of Appeal, clears the way for the return of the Mark-led executive. It described the judgment as a turning point for opposition politics, adding that it strengthens internal party democracy and reinforces confidence in the judiciary. The group also criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that recent developments in the country support its earlier decision not to endorse his presidential bid in 2022.
According to the statement, Nigeria is facing rising insecurity, economic challenges and energy constraints, which it said have worsened living conditions. The forum expressed concern over governance standards, citing incidents of kidnapping, killings and destruction of farmlands, alongside increasing hardship among citizens. It also raised concerns about pressure on democratic institutions, including the legislature and judiciary, and called for renewed commitment to democratic principles.
On a recent opposition meeting in Ibadan, the group said the gathering of political leaders marks a step towards stronger collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections. The forum urged the ADC to lead a broad opposition movement and pledged to mobilise support across the South-West for opposition parties. “The maturity displayed by opposition leaders at the Ibadan summit shows a growing understanding of the need for unity in safeguarding democracy,” the statement said.
Attorney General Backs Suit Seeking Deregistration of ADC and Four Other Parties
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has supported a suit seeking to compel INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties. In processes filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the AGF argued that the continued recognition of the parties violates provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and weakens electoral integrity. The parties listed alongside the ADC are the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
Fagbemi, through a legal team led by Prof Joshua Olatoke, said INEC has no discretion to retain parties that fail to meet the minimum constitutional requirements under Section 225A. He argued that retaining such parties would inflate ballots, increase public expenditure and complicate election administration, adding that failure by INEC to deregister them amounts to a breach of constitutional duty. “The continued existence of non-performing political parties will inflate the ballots, burden public funds, complicate election administration, and undermine the constitutional intention behind section 225A,” he stated.
The AGF urged the court to grant the reliefs sought in the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, maintaining that it is in the interest of justice. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, seeks a determination of whether INEC is constitutionally required to deregister political parties that fail to meet electoral performance thresholds under the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations.
The plaintiff argued that the five parties failed to meet required benchmarks, including securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning elective seats at the national, state or local government levels. It told the court that the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure representation across key tiers of government. The litigants maintained that the continued recognition of the parties is unlawful and undermines the credibility of Nigeria's electoral system.
They are seeking an order compelling INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 general elections advance further, as well as an injunction restraining them from participating in elections or engaging in political activities.
