An atmosphere of uncertainty has enveloped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Court of Appeal of Nigeria prepares to deliver its judgment on the protracted leadership tussle that has sharply divided the opposition party.
The dispute has polarized the party into two rival camps: one backing the National Working Committee (NWC) supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and the other aligned with a National Caretaker Committee reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The appellate court had last month reserved judgment after hearing arguments from the feuding factions, raising anticipation among party members who believe the ruling could determine the future direction of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A party insider said anxiety is widespread within the party as members await the court’s decision.
“Everybody is waiting. It is a court judgment and everybody is agitated. Nobody is sure of anything,” the source said.
The PDP crisis escalated following the controversial national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16 last year.
At the convention, delegates elected a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki and announced the expulsion of several party figures, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Umar Bature.
The convention also dissolved State Working Committees in six states.
However, the Wike camp rejected the convention, describing it as illegitimate. In response, the faction constituted a 13-member National Caretaker Committee headed by Abdulraham Mohammed to oversee the affairs of the party pending the election of a new leadership.
The caretaker committee subsequently announced the expulsion of several key figures, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Governor Makinde, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, former acting national chairman Umar Damagum, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and PDP elder Olabode George.
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The crisis had already been brewing prior to the convention, largely due to a power struggle between PDP governors and Wike over control of the party structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Legal battles further complicated the situation. A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja initially ordered the party not to proceed with the convention, while an Oyo State High Court later granted approval for the exercise to hold.
Following the convention, more conflicting rulings emerged. The Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the outcome of the convention, whereas the Oyo State High Court upheld its legitimacy.
The pending decision of the Court of Appeal is therefore expected to provide clarity on the leadership question that has plunged the party into turmoil.
Despite expectations that the judgment could resolve the leadership dispute, some party leaders fear that the prolonged legal battles may threaten the party’s ability to participate effectively in the 2027 elections.
Their concerns stem partly from provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit a digital register of their members nationwide to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before the nomination of candidates.
Section 77(2) of the law mandates parties to maintain a digital membership register, while Section 77(4) requires the register to be submitted not later than 21 days before primaries, conventions or congresses. Under Section 77(7), any party that fails to submit the register within the stipulated time cannot field candidates in an election.
According to INEC’s timetable, party primaries for the 2027 polls will take place between April 23 and May 30, meaning political parties must submit their membership registers by early April.
Immediate past PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor warned that the ongoing crisis may have weakened the party significantly, raising doubts about its electoral prospects.
“Even if the leadership crisis is resolved before the commencement of primaries, the damage is already done,” he said. “The countless litigation have weakened the party base.”
He added that some aspirants who planned to contest the 2027 elections on the PDP platform are already exploring alternative political parties.
A PDP chieftain from the South-West, who is reportedly eyeing a National Assembly seat in the next election, echoed similar fears.
According to him, although Governor Makinde has urged party members interested in contesting elections to begin mobilising under the PDP platform, many aspirants remain worried that their efforts could be nullified if court rulings eventually go against their faction.
“The fear is real,” he said. “Even if the Court of Appeal rules one way, the Supreme Court will eventually have the final say, and whatever nomination is made in the meantime could become a nullity.”
Despite the uncertainty, both factions are forging ahead with separate plans for the 2027 elections.
The Turaki-led NWC is currently conducting a digital membership registration exercise, while the caretaker committee aligned with Wike has begun holding congresses in some states.
National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led NWC, Ini Ememobong, said the party leadership has completed its preparations for the primaries and is awaiting the court’s decision.
“We have done our part in preparation for the primaries. We are hopeful that with the new timetable, the court will be more expeditious in its judgment,” he said.
Similarly, caretaker committee member Okechukwu Osuoha insisted there was no cause for alarm, noting that the committee had already begun preparations for the next general election.
According to him, the caretaker committee is relying on the Federal High Court ruling that nullified the Ibadan convention and has scheduled a national convention for March 29 and 30.
“We are doing whatever we can to stay on track,” he said, expressing hope that the Court of Appeal will soon deliver a definitive ruling on the leadership dispute.