Ebonyi PDP Rift Deepens After Court Nullifies Convention

Two Ebonyi PDP Factions Give Conflicting Readings of Court Nullification of National Convention

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held on November 15, 2025, sparking a war of interpretations between two factions of the party’s Ebonyi State chapter.

The judgment, which barred officials who emerged from the convention from parading themselves as national officers, has been cited by both sides to validate their opposing claims to legitimate party leadership.

One faction, loyal to Ambassador Abdulrahman Mohammad and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, released a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Kalu Francis. The group commended the court for its decision, stating it affirms the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammad and Anyanwu as the sole legitimate National Working Committee (NWC). The statement framed the ruling as a victory for the PDP constitution, due process, and the rule of law, and credited Senator Anyanwu’s prior stance against procedural violations. It urged party members in Ebonyi to remain calm and united as the party moves forward constitutionally.

In a swift counter-statement, the faction supporting Alhaji Kabiru Turaki as national chairman rejected the court’s implication that their convention was invalid. Signed by Hon. Nwafor Richard Nwali, the group’s Publicity Secretary, the statement asserted that the November 15-16, 2025 convention was conducted in full compliance with the PDP constitution and electoral laws. It expressed unwavering support for Turaki’s leadership and praised the dedication of southeast executives, including embattled National Vice Chairman Chief Ali Odefa. The faction emphasized its focus on winning the 2027 elections under Turaki and called for peaceful dispute resolution per Supreme Court guidelines, urging members to remain steadfast.

The conflicting statements underscore the deepening internal crisis within the PDP, a major opposition party in Nigeria. The court ruling targets a specific convention but has failed to bridge the divide between the factions, each claiming constitutional legitimacy. The stalemate raises questions about the party’s cohesion and strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Ebonyi State—a key electoral battleground—becoming a microcosm of the national leadership tussle. How the PDP resolves this dual claim to authority will be critical to its prospects as an opposition force.