Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, denied reports that the Supreme Court had invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention held in Abuja on 29‑30 March 2026.
The denial follows circulating documents alleging that a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment on the PDP leadership dispute indicated the “Wike‑loyal” faction lost the case and that the court declared the Abuja convention illegal. The documents also claimed the ruling confirmed the suspension of several leaders of the Wike‑aligned faction, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade.
In an interview with Arise TV on Saturday night, Olayinka asserted that the issue of the March 29‑30 convention was never addressed by either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court is not a ‘Father Christmas’. What you did not take to court, the court will not begin to talk about,” he said.
He explained that the Supreme Court’s decision pertained only to matters already raised before the Court of Appeal. “What went to the Supreme Court was from the Appeal Court. They said Sam Anyanwu was suspended by the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court affirmed his suspension. If there was no mention of his name in the Appeal Court judgment, how could his name suddenly appear in the apex court? His name was not mentioned,” Olayinka added.
When asked directly whether the Supreme Court had nullified the March 29 convention, Olayinka responded unequivocally: “No, it is a lie.”
The contention stems from a long‑running power struggle within the PDP, where two factions have vied for control of the party’s national leadership. The faction aligned with Governor Wike has been accused of convening an “unauthorized” national convention in Abuja, while the rival faction maintains that the meeting complied with party rules.
Legal analysts note that, under Nigerian law, courts can only rule on issues that have been formally raised in a case. If the legality of the Abuja convention was not part of the appeal before the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court would lack jurisdiction to rule on it. Consequently, the Supreme Court’s decision, if limited to confirming or overturning the Appeal Court’s suspension orders, would not affect the status of the convention.
As the PDP approaches its next electoral cycle, the dispute underscores ongoing intra‑party tensions that could influence candidate selection and campaign strategies nationwide. Observers will be watching whether the party’s national executive takes further steps to resolve the matter or whether additional litigation will be pursued.
