WIKE-BACKED PDP FACTION SUES INEC, POLICE OVER ‘ILLEGAL CONVENTION’, TAKEOVER OF PARTY SECRETARIAT
Abuja, Nigeria — November 28, 2025
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has instituted legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to halt the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
The suit was filed by the Wike-aligned PDP faction alongside Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman, and Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary. The plaintiffs asked the court to declare the Ibadan convention and all decisions reached during the event “null, void, and of no effect”.
The disputed convention had resulted in the expulsion of several key party figures, including Samuel Anyanwu, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, and eight other chieftains—an action the plaintiffs insist was unlawfully executed.
Plaintiffs Seek to Halt Recognition of New PDP Leaders
In their prayers, the plaintiffs are also seeking an order restraining INEC and security agencies from recognising Umar Damagum, Kabiru Turaki—the newly announced national chairman—and other officials who emerged from the Ibadan gathering.
They argue that the convention was conducted in blatant disregard of three subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court, which they claim invalidated the process leading up to the event.
Additionally, the faction has asked the court to compel security agencies to provide them with adequate protection and grant full access to the party’s national secretariat—Wadata Plaza—and Legacy House in Abuja to enable them to carry out official party functions.
The plaintiffs further requested an injunction preventing INEC from accepting any change of address for the PDP apart from the two officially recognised Abuja locations.
Fresh Rift Emerges as Turaki-led Faction Petitions Chief Judge
In a separate development deepening the party’s internal crisis, the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court over what it described as troubling patterns in cases assigned to three federal judges.
In a letter dated November 19, 2025, signed by the faction’s National Secretary, Teofeek Arapaja, the party listed the courts of Justice James Omotosho, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, and Justice Abduimalik as “Courts of Particular Concern”.
The petition noted that Justices Omotosho and Lifu previously issued judgments stopping the now-concluded Ibadan convention, while Justice Abduimalik is currently presiding over another suit filed against the PDP and INEC.
The party urged the Chief Judge to review the pattern of case assignments, expressing fears of perceived bias and judicial inconsistencies that could further escalate the party’s leadership crisis.
PDP Crisis Deepens
With both factions now engaged in parallel legal battles and issuing counter-claims, the PDP’s internal turmoil continues to intensify. Political analysts warn that the prolonged tussle may weaken the opposition party ahead of upcoming electoral cycles unless a unified resolution is reached.
The Federal High Court is expected to announce hearing dates for the suits in the coming days.
