Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called on aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embrace dialogue and resolve internal disputes amicably following recent judicial pronouncements that have stirred debate within the party. The Supreme Court, in a split 3–2 decision by a five-member panel, upheld the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, both of which nullified the Ibadan convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki faction.
Supreme Court Ruling Details
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Stephen Adah held that the convention was conducted in defiance of existing court orders. The ruling effectively ends the challenge to the faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Natasha Calls for Peace
Reacting to the controversy, the Kogi Central lawmaker cautioned against misinformation, emphasizing that the apex court's ruling was limited in scope. According to her, “the Supreme Court judgment only invalidated the Ibadan Convention,” urging party faithful and the public to “beware of propaganda” distorting the implications of the verdict.
Senator Natasha clarified that issues relating to the suspension of the party's National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were not part of the Supreme Court's determination. She noted that the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld a one-month suspension handed to Anyanwu and three others during the PDP's 608th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on November 1, 2025. “That suspension was not contested, and it lapsed on December 1, 2025,” she stated.
Following the expiration of the suspension, the affected members were subsequently appointed to a caretaker committee constituted on December 8, 2025, tasked with overseeing party affairs and preparing for the March 2026 national convention.
2027 Election: PDP's Natasha Backs Unity
Furthermore, she pointed out that the outcome of the March convention remains institutionally recognized, noting that the current leadership structure of the PDP is duly reflected on the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Amid ongoing tensions, the senator struck a conciliatory tone, urging unity across factions ahead of the 2027 elections. “I sincerely wish that all aggrieved members of our PDP family resolve matters amicably,” she said, while extending goodwill to other political parties ahead of future electoral contests.
Projecting confidence in her party's prospects, she added: “The PDP will field candidates in the 2027 general elections, and we shall definitely win a good number of seats.”
Wike: 'Supreme Court Validated Convention'
Earlier, Wike said there is no longer parallel leadership in the PDP. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Wike stated that the Supreme Court verdict, which invalidated the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, has finally laid to rest all disputes over leadership structures within the party.
This development underscores the ongoing internal dynamics within the PDP as the party prepares for future electoral contests.
