Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that pursuing a Supreme Court appeal against the recent Court of Appeal judgment could harm the party, especially with its national primaries set to begin in April.
Wike, who was reacting to Monday’s judgment which affirmed the nullification of the November 2025 Ibadan convention, said the ruling provides a clear opportunity for the party to unite, rather than engage in prolonged legal battles.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment, the minister said, “For me, it is an opportunity for everybody again to come back and see how we can salvage the party. But if you say you don’t, of course, lawyers will tell you, no, let’s go to the Supreme Court. Mind you, the primaries will be from April to May. Now, look at it. By the time you go to the Supreme Court, you are merely doing harm. Causing harm for your party, which you say you love, and which will not help us,” he said.
Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which on October 31, 2025 restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing the outcome of the PDP’s 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, ruled that the party had violated constitutional and statutory provisions, including failing to hold valid congresses in more than 14 states and not giving proper notice to INEC, as required by law.
The lower court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had earlier held that PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice of meetings and congresses, and that correspondence signed by the party’s National Chairman without the National Secretary was invalid.
The court found that these failures put the convention in jeopardy and ordered INEC not to recognize its outcome. The suit was filed by aggrieved party members, including Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu.
Wike emphasized that the judgment is about compliance with the law, not leadership disputes. “When you do not comply with what the law says, it cannot stand. It does not matter who is chairman or who is not chairman. What matters is compliance with the law,” he said, warning against further disregard of legal provisions.
He stressed that ignoring legal procedures transforms what might appear as internal party issues into matters that require judicial intervention.
“Today, most of us who are always talking about internal affairs, we don’t even read what constitutes internal affairs of the party and what does not constitute internal affairs of the party,” he said.
According to Wike, the judgment also serves as a warning to party leaders who may believe that being in positions of power allows them to act with impunity.
“You realize that before this convention, I did say that what the party then was doing will not help us because every step taken will be set aside. And of course, you know one thing that happens to people when they are in power, you are a governor, you believe that you can do anything. I thank God that the law has spoken.”
The minister urged PDP members to prioritize unity over personal interests, stressing that the party’s credibility as the main opposition hinges on cohesion.
“For me, we have done what we’re supposed to do, and it is time now to say, we have fought, let us drop our personal interests and make sure that PDP becomes the opposition party. The only opposition I think we have is PDP and the ruling party is APC. No other party I consider to be opposition,” he said.
Wike confirmed that the party’s caretaker committee is legally recognized to manage PDP affairs pending a fresh national convention, scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026. He added that logistical arrangements, including securing an alternative venue near the National Stadium due to a clash with the APC convention, are already in place.
“The PDP leadership must act now. This is the time to rebuild unity. Legal fights at this stage will only weaken the party and harm its ability to compete in the forthcoming elections,” Wike said, reiterating that delays or further legal challenges would serve no one.
He described the judgment as both a vindication of his earlier warnings and a chance for the party to “drop ego, leave personal interests behind, and see how we can move the party forward,” urging all factions to come together to strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
