In a dramatic turn of events for Nigeria’s main opposition party, a former governor has publicly backed a new factional leader while a court order has thrown its national convention into doubt, deepening an internal crisis.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated Mohammed Abdulrahman as the new acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His endorsement came after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an injunction restraining the party from proceeding with its planned National Elective Convention.
The PDP was scheduled to hold the convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, an event meant to elect new national officials. However, the court order, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, directs the party to halt the exercise until it fully complies with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.
The suit was filed by three aggrieved party members: Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the South-South Zonal Secretary.
They argued that the proposed convention was illegal because the party had failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states beforehand and did not provide the statutory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho upheld their position, stating that the PDP had violated its constitution and electoral guidelines. This legal setback compounds the party’s existing internal divisions. Abdulrahman was appointed as the factional acting National Chairman following the suspension of the former National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and several other officials over allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities.
In a parallel move, the faction of the National Working Committee still loyal to Damagum had earlier announced the suspension of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.
It is within this context of factional rivalry that Fayose issued a statement on Saturday urging Abdulrahman to act swiftly to reunite the party. “I congratulate the new chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman,” Fayose stated. “I urge him to unite the party and restore confidence in its members.” He further pressed the new chairman to address past grievances, saying, “Most importantly, he should look into the shenanigans and injustice done in States like Ekiti and others with a view to correcting them in accordance with the party constitution and existing court pronouncements.”
Fayose also emphasised the need for a legitimate leadership transition, advising Abdulrahman to “be a team player and ensure the emergence of a new National Working Committee through a valid National Convention, which should be done immediately after outstanding congresses are held in states and zones, and those done against court judgements are revisited.”
The party’s internal crises have been simmering for months. Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have been particularly discontented with Damagum’s leadership. Their grievances centre on unresolved disputes concerning the South-South zonal leadership and control of party structures in key states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau. Tensions were further heightened by disagreements over a micro-zoning arrangement for party positions ahead of the now-suspended convention.
The combination of a restraining order from the court and the public endorsement of a factional leader by a prominent figure like Fayose leaves the PDP in a state of profound uncertainty.
The party, which seeks to present a united front ahead of the next general elections, now finds itself grappling with parallel leadership structures, legal challenges, and deep-seated internal discord.
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