By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The political crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn following a split judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which upheld earlier rulings nullifying the party’s Ibadan convention and affirming the suspension of key party figures.
The apex court, in a 3–2 decision delivered by a five-man panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, affirmed the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court that invalidated the convention. The decision has deepened uncertainty over the leadership structure of the opposition party.
In the majority judgment, Justices Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Stephen Adah, and Garba held that the appellants acted in contempt by disregarding a subsisting Federal High Court order. The justices ruled that parties found in contempt of court cannot be granted audience at the Supreme Court, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
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However, the dissenting opinions of Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Umar took a different stance, arguing that the dispute was purely an internal party matter and therefore not justiciable in court.
The minority judges maintained that the case did not involve any action of a federal government institution, but rather a leadership tussle within the PDP, which should have been resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms. They further faulted the majority decision for raising issues suo motu without allowing the parties to respond, describing it as contrary to established judicial practice.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the judgment also upheld the suspension of senior party figures including Ajibade, SAN, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, among others, following earlier pronouncements by the Court of Appeal.
With the latest ruling, concerns have emerged within political circles that the PDP may be facing a leadership vacuum, raising questions about the party’s internal cohesion and preparedness ahead of future political contests.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the faction described as the “Uncompromised PDP,” Comrade Ini Ememobong, warned that the situation places the party at what he termed a “dangerous bend” that could have wider implications if not carefully managed.
According to him, the party’s existing structures must urgently intervene to restore order and provide clear leadership direction.
Political observers say the ruling may further intensify internal divisions within the PDP, even as efforts continue within the party to stabilise its leadership framework.
The PDP, one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties, has in recent months been embroiled in internal disputes over leadership and control of its national structure.
