ABUJA, NIGERIA ā The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Umaru Bature, and Okechukwu Osuoha, while also declaring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) March 2026 national convention and the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman null and void.
In a unanimous landmark judgment delivered on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the apex court reaffirmed the fundamental legal principle that the judiciary lacks the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party ā effectively terminating the protracted leadership dispute and restoring constitutional order to the party’s administrative hierarchy.
The court held that all actions, decisions, and appointments made by the suspended officials during the period of their suspension are null, void, and of no legal consequence whatsoever. By extension of this “doctrine of nullity,” the court invalidated the purported national convention held between March 29 and 30, 2026, as well as the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman. All communiquĆ©s, financial authorizations, and committee appointments initiated by the Anyanwu-led faction within the suspension window were also voided.
How the Crisis UnfoldedThe PDP leadership crisis began after the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, which produced a national executive led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), with the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed .
However, the convention was challenged by a rival faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who alleged that the exercise violated subsisting court orders, failed to comply with party guidelines, and was conducted without valid state congresses .
Lower Court RulingsThe legal battle began at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho delivered a judgment on October 31, 2025, nullifying the Ibadan convention.
The court held that the evidence before it showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned convention as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s own constitution .The suit was filed by three aggrieved members of the party ā Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) ā who argued that the convention was conducted without proper legal foundation .
Additionally, Justice Peter Lifu of the same court had ordered the PDP not to proceed with its planned convention until it afforded former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate. Lamido filed the suit challenging his exclusion from the national chairmanship contest, arguing that the party denied him the opportunity to purchase the nomination form . On November 14, 2025, Justice Lifu made a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention, holding that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to contest .
Dissatisfied with the lower court rulings, the Turaki-led faction appealed to the Court of Appeal. However, on March 9, 2026, the appellate court upheld the judgments of the Federal High Court, affirming the nullification of the Ibadan convention and sustaining the suspension of Anyanwu, Ajibade, Bature, and Osuoha .
Following the Court of Appeal judgment, the Wike-backed faction organized a parallel convention in Abuja on March 29 and 30, 2026, which re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) .
The Turaki-led faction subsequently approached the Supreme Court, asking it to declare that both the trial court and the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, insisting it arose from the internal affairs of the party and was therefore non-justiciable .
The faction also filed a cross-appeal urging the apex court to set aside the aspect of the judgment that upheld the suspension of the party officials .
On April 22, 2026, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Lawal Garba heard the appeal and reserved judgment . On April 30, 2026, the court delivered its unanimous decision upholding the suspensions and nullifying the March convention.
Implications of the RulingFollowing the definitive ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all financial institutions, and security agencies are required to take immediate note of the judgment.
No recognition should be accorded to any individual or group whose purported authority stems from the invalidated March 2026 convention or the illegal leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The court’s refusal to assume jurisdiction reinforces the authority of the National Working Committee (NWC) to discipline its members without external interference, provided such actions align with the party’s governing documents.
The party’s authentic leadership, as recognized prior to these illegalities, remains the sole authorized body to conduct official business, manage assets, and lead the party toward upcoming electoral cycles.
All loyal party members have been called upon to remain calm and united as the party moves forward with the task of institutional restoration.
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