Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing renewed instability despite the conclusion of a disputed national convention at the weekend, with legal challenges, public recriminations and fresh defections widening its internal rift.
Although the convention has been recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its legitimacy is now the subject of multiple court cases.
The gathering was organised by a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, but is being challenged by a rival bloc backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
What began as an internal leadership dispute has escalated into a constitutional contest, with implications for who controls the party’s structures and how far the courts can intervene in party affairs.
In a statement, Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Makinde-aligned faction of the PDP National Working Committee, said the group had approached both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to resolve issues arising from the convention.
The faction accused the Wike-backed group of proceeding with the event despite ongoing appellate proceedings.
Thereafter, the crisis intensified further after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued orders affecting control of the party’s national secretariat.
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Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled in favour of the Wike-aligned faction, granting them access to the PDP headquarters and directing security agencies to provide protection.
In her judgment, the court also declared an earlier convention organised in Ibadan by a rival group led by Kabiru Turaki in November 2025 unconstitutional, null and void, citing violations of subsisting court orders.
The court further ruled that the purported expulsion of Wike and his allies during that exercise breached the rule of law.
According to reports, the Turaki-led faction has since announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Following Sunday’s convention, INEC updated its website to reflect a new PDP National Working Committee, listing Mohammed Abdulrahman as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The move is widely seen as strengthening the Wike-backed leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from senior party figures.
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Former Deputy National Chairman Bode George described INEC’s recognition as “deceitful and dishonest,” arguing that it undermines internal party democracy and weakens opposition politics.
Meanwhile, internal tensions have been compounded by fresh defections. Isa Ashiru, the PDP’s governorship candidate in Kaduna State in the 2023 election, has formally resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Ashiru was the PDP’s closest challenger to APC governor Uba Sani in the last election.
Also exiting the party is former Minister of State for the FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, who ended more than 20 years of PDP membership in a resignation letter dated March 30.
Despite the growing crisis, some party figures are urging restraint.
Presidential aspirant Gbenga Hashim said reconciliation remains possible, warning that continued division could erode the PDP’s position as a credible opposition force.
Hashim called on leaders of the rival factions to resume dialogue, saying that the courts still provide lawful avenues for resolution and that a negotiated settlement could yet reunify the party.
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