S’Court Judgment: No leadership vacuum, Wike backed PDP slams Wabara, others

The Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum following a recent Supreme Court judgment, insisting that its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, remain in charge.

The National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, stated this while addressing a press conference at Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Friday. He also said the tenure of Adolphus Wabara as Chairman of the Board of Trustees had expired before the current crisis, warning that any contrary claims would no longer be tolerated.

Mohammed accused Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Wabara, Ini Ememobong and others of misrepresenting facts and spreading falsehoods regarding the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 30, 2026.

He clarified that the apex court ruling only invalidated the Ibadan convention and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led National Working Committee for lacking merit, stressing that the judgment made no reference to the suspension or expulsion of any party official.

“This remains the sole substance of the judgment, contrary to the false narratives being circulated. The judgment did not uphold any suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party,” he said.

“The issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. It was neither canvassed nor formed part of the questions for determination at any level of adjudication.

“The apex court addressed only the validity of the so-called 15th and 16th Ibadan convention. At no point did it mention the suspension or expulsion of any party officer.”

He further stated that there had been no vacuum, obstruction or absence of leadership within the party to justify any interim takeover.

“The leadership structure of the PDP remains intact, lawful and fully operational under the National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. Their positions remain duly recognised,” he added.

Mohammed described contrary claims as a “desperate attempt” by a group to twist the facts of the judgment to mislead the public.

He also alleged that the same individuals who ignored valid court orders during the Ibadan convention were again attempting to destabilise the party despite the Supreme Court ruling.

On claims that the Board of Trustees had taken over the party’s leadership, he said there was no provision in the party’s constitution granting the BoT such powers.

“Most curious is the claim by Senator Adolphus Wabara, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees had long expired. The only recognised leadership of the BoT is that led by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa,” he said.

He urged the public and the media to disregard what he described as propaganda, maintaining that there are no factions within the party.

Meanwhile, in a split 3–2 decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday invalidated the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, which produced the Turaki-led leadership backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The court held that the convention violated existing orders restraining the party from proceeding without meeting certain conditions.

Reacting earlier, Wabara had claimed there was no leadership in place and announced that the Board of Trustees had taken over in line with the party’s constitution to stabilise the PDP. He also convened a BoT meeting for Sunday and a National Executive Committee meeting for Monday.