PDP Faction Vows to Appeal Federal High Court Decision on Ibadan Convention
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Kabiru Turaki has announced its intention to appeal a recent Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan. The court declined to grant an order of mandamus on Friday, January 30, effectively nullifying the party's national convention held on November 14. This development marks a significant setback for the faction and intensifies the ongoing internal conflicts within Nigeria's main opposition party.
Court's Rationale and PDP's Reaction
In its detailed ruling, the Federal High Court explained that granting the mandamus request would essentially constitute "sitting on appeal" over decisions made by courts of coordinated jurisdiction. The judiciary emphasized that such an action would undermine the established legal hierarchy and procedural norms. The PDP faction, however, expressed disappointment with this outcome, describing the decision as "not expected" and contrary to their legal expectations.
Furthermore, the court explicitly recognized the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the sole legitimate National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP. This recognition is contingent upon the successful conduct of a valid National Convention in the future. The ruling solidifies the position of this committee, which is aligned with the faction controlled by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Factional Dynamics and Leadership Control
The political landscape within the PDP reveals a clear division between two major factions. The Abdulrahman and Anyanwu-led leadership operates under the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, while the Kabiru Turaki-led faction receives backing from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his counterpart in Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed. This split highlights the deep-seated rivalries and power struggles that have plagued the party since its defeat in the 2023 general elections.
In an official statement released on Friday, Ini Ememobong, the national publicity secretary for the Turaki faction, confirmed that legal instructions have been issued to file an immediate appeal. The faction remains committed to pursuing all necessary legal avenues to safeguard its position and legitimacy. Despite the court's unfavorable ruling, the PDP faction asserts that its structure, established through the Ibadan Convention, remains unshaken and legally intact.
Public Reactions and Strategic Implications
Nigerians have actively engaged with this development through social media comments, offering diverse perspectives on the PDP's internal crisis. Many critics have pointed fingers at key party figures, accusing them of exacerbating the situation through personal interests and strategic miscalculations.
- Ibeabuchi Musa Lawal criticized Governor Makinde's role in the crisis, questioning his realization of past mistakes and emphasizing the need to prioritize party unity over personal agendas.
- Ralph Adebisi suggested that the conflict between Wike and Makinde might be a calculated maneuver to prevent the PDP from fielding a strong presidential candidate, describing it as a "well-planned plot" involving other political actors as distractions.
- Olusola Gbenga Oluwaseun traced the roots of the crisis to longstanding organizational failures within the PDP, urging the party to stand firm and address its internal weaknesses.
- Obidient Premier proposed a radical solution, advising the PDP to collapse into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition and support Peter Obi's presidential candidacy to defeat the ruling party in future elections.
Electoral Commission's Stance and Historical Context
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also weighed in on the PDP crisis, clarifying its position regarding the two factions led by Governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. This clarification came in response to inquiries from legal representatives associated with one of the factions, underscoring the commission's role in monitoring political party disputes.
The current turmoil within the PDP can be traced back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, where the party suffered a significant defeat to President Bola Tinubu. This loss triggered a series of internal conflicts, leadership tussles, and factional alignments that have continued to undermine the party's cohesion and electoral prospects. The court's ruling on the Ibadan convention represents another critical juncture in this ongoing saga, with potential implications for Nigeria's political landscape ahead of future elections.
