The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ group has urged party members to remain calm following the Supreme Court judgement nullifying the party’s November 2025 National Convention.
The National Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) and former Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, disclosed this after an emergency expanded stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
Aliyu stated that the party accepted the apex court’s decision, adding that the BoT had stepped in to provide leadership to avoid a vacuum.
He explained that the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal filed by Tanimu Turaki—which nullified the November 2025 elective national convention—technically left the party without a National Working Committee (NWC).
“The meeting has confirmed what our Constitution has provided—that in a situation where a judgement leaves us without an NWC, the BoT must take over. The BoT has taken over the affairs of the PDP.
“The Chairman of the BoT, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, has assumed control to ensure the party is not left leaderless and rudderless,” Aliyu said.
According to Aliyu, the judgement also addressed the cross-appeal by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu’s team, effectively affirming the suspension of certain officials, including Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade.
Anyanwu and others are loyalists of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is leading a faction of the party.
Aliyu noted that the interpretation of the verdict meant that both groups previously claiming leadership had been divested of their interests.
“We cannot, in good conscience, allow the party to become leaderless. We are very happy that the Supreme Court has come clearly on this matter,” he added.
Aliyu emphasised that the party would now prioritise reconciliation, urging members who had left the fold to return.
He assured Nigerians that the PDP would function as a vibrant opposition and not as an “appendage” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We are the PDP. We know that democracy thrives when there is a vibrant and capable opposition. We will do our best to ensure the party not only survives but presents candidates for the 2027 elections,” he said.
On the party’s next steps, Aliyu disclosed that the BoT would meet on Sunday, followed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday to chart a new course and announce an action plan.
Asked if the party would immediately move its operations back to its Wadata Plaza headquarters, Aliyu said the leadership would follow due process.
“We are not going to start fighting people. We want to reconcile with everybody. We are a family. We will follow the processes to ensure that the PDP stands as one party,” he said.
He also noted that the party would review all pending lower court cases in light of the Supreme Court’s judgement to decide on withdrawals or further legal actions.
The meeting was attended by PDP governors, BoT members, NEC members, the National Assembly Caucus, and state chairmen.
