The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into internal turmoil as its National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of four key national officers following a contentious court ruling halting the party’s planned national convention.
The suspended officials include the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed the development in a statement issued after an emergency NWC meeting held on Saturday at the party’s Legacy House headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
According to Ologunagba, the decision was taken in line with the party’s constitution. “The NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee,” he said.
The crisis follows a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which restrained the PDP from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The ruling, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, questioned the legality of the planned convention.
However, the PDP leadership has strongly rejected the court’s decision, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
In a statement issued on Friday and titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court,” Ologunagba insisted that the ruling would not derail the party’s internal processes.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.
Ologunagba maintained that the court’s decision does not prevent the party from continuing its preparations for the convention. “The judgment of the court does not vitiate our ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years,” he asserted.
Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs, the PDP said it would continue with its internal arrangements in defiance of the court’s order.
“Our Party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” Ologunagba added, urging members to remain resolute and focused ahead of the planned convention.
The latest suspensions highlight the escalating tension within the PDP, which has been battling internal divisions and leadership disputes in the buildup to its national convention. Political observers say the crisis could further weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections if not swiftly resolved.