The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, condemned the Oyo State High Court ruling that lifted an earlier order restraining the party from holding its national convention.
The court, sitting in Ibadan, on Monday vacated the injunction that had temporarily halted preparations for the PDP’s elective national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025. Justice A. L. Akintola, who presided over the matter, ruled that the PDP and its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, were legally permitted to proceed with the convention as scheduled, describing the previous injunction as lacking merit.
In his judgment, Justice Akintola affirmed that the internal affairs of political parties should not be unnecessarily hindered by litigation unless clear evidence of illegality is established. He also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise in line with the Electoral Act and ensure compliance with the party’s constitution.
The suit had earlier been filed by aggrieved members of the party who challenged the legitimacy of the proposed convention, arguing that certain party positions were being unfairly zoned and that due process was not followed. However, the court ruled that such grievances could be addressed internally within the party and should not prevent the holding of the convention.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP in Oyo State hailed the court’s decision as a “victory for democracy.” The state chairman, Dayo Ogunbenro, expressed optimism that the convention would now hold without further legal encumbrances. “This is a welcome development. We are prepared to host the entire country here in Ibadan. The PDP is a law-abiding party, and the court has confirmed that we are on the right path,” he said.
However, the ruling immediately sparked fresh controversy within the party as former Rivers State governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, criticised both the decision and the party leadership under Damagum. Wike, who has been one of the most vocal internal critics of the PDP hierarchy since the 2023 elections, accused the acting chairman of lacking moral credibility and alleged that the party’s internal leadership had been hijacked by “self-serving individuals.”
Speaking during a live television interview, Wike described Damagum as a “tax collector” who, according to him, prioritised personal gain over the interest of the PDP. “Damagum should go and sue me if he thinks I am lying. He knows he cannot because he is aware of what he is doing. How can someone who has turned the party into a business be the one leading it into a convention?” he stated.
Wike also claimed that the convention would only deepen the party’s internal divisions unless key issues of zoning, leadership legitimacy, and reconciliation were addressed. “You cannot build peace on a faulty foundation,” he added, warning that the PDP risked further decline if the convention became another battleground for control between rival factions.
The FCT Minister also accused some northern stakeholders of deliberately marginalising southern members in key party positions, saying the PDP had lost its balance and inclusiveness. He reiterated his long-standing view that the party leadership had failed to honour the rotation principle that once sustained unity within its ranks.
Meanwhile, supporters of Damagum dismissed Wike’s comments as “unnecessary distractions,” urging all members to rally behind the convention process. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party was more focused on rebuilding its internal structures ahead of the 2027 general elections than engaging in personality clashes. “The court has spoken, and we are moving forward. The national convention will hold as planned, and it will be a new beginning for our great party,” he said.
Political analysts say the Oyo High Court’s ruling may have temporarily eased the legal uncertainties surrounding the PDP’s convention, but the internal friction among its leading figures could still pose significant risks. The dispute between the Wike and Damagum camps, coupled with the influence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has left the opposition party sharply divided.
Observers note that the outcome of the convention will likely determine the PDP’s direction ahead of the next election cycle. While some believe the convention could serve as an opportunity for reconciliation, others fear it might become a platform for further factional dominance and legal battles.
As preparations intensify in Ibadan, the PDP leadership has assured members and the public of a transparent and credible process. Security arrangements are expected to be tightened, and INEC officials are likely to play a major monitoring role to forestall irregularities.
Whether the convention will mend fences or widen cracks within Nigeria’s leading opposition party remains uncertain. For now, Wike’s criticisms underscore the depth of the PDP’s internal divisions, even as the court’s decision clears the way for what may become a defining moment in its political future.
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