AfriPulse
Fresh concerns have emerged over the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections following a new ruling by the Court of Appeal that has deepened the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
Political analysts warn that if the dispute within the party remains unresolved and the legal consequences of the judgment persist, the once-dominant opposition party could face procedural challenges that might ultimately prevent it from appearing on the ballot in the next elections.
On Monday, the appellate court ruled on appeals stemming from earlier decisions by James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court.
In separate judgments, the court upheld the lower court’s decision declaring the party’s national convention that produced a National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as invalid. At the same time, it affirmed the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
Anyanwu, along with the National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, had been suspended on November 1, 2025 over alleged anti-party activities.
Observers say the party’s chances of resolving its crisis in time for the 2027 elections have been further complicated by the inability of the opposing factions to agree on a common path forward.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, for political parties to conduct primaries and resolve disputes, giving parties less than three months to complete all processes required to nominate candidates.
The PDP now faces two options: challenge the ruling in court or accept the judgment and urgently reorganise its internal structure.
The faction led by Turaki has chosen to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, while another faction reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insists it will proceed with its planned national convention on March 28.
Analysts warn that parallel actions by the rival camps could further complicate the party’s situation.
Already, PDP candidates in off-cycle elections in Ekiti State and Osun State are reportedly facing challenges meeting INEC requirements due to the party’s internal divisions.
Political observers also note that many politicians may avoid contesting elections under a fragmented party structure to prevent being disqualified on technical grounds, similar to what happened during past electoral disputes in Zamfara State and Plateau State.
Meanwhile, sources say stakeholders within the party are exploring options to stabilise the situation, including the possibility of the party’s Board of Trustees, chaired by Adolphus Wabara, temporarily taking over the party’s affairs while efforts are made to resolve the crisis.
Source: Platinumpost.ng | Read the Full Story…
