The schism within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further deepened Wednesday as the Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum-led faction and that led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, differed on the party’s November 15 Elective National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

While the Damagum faction insisted the convention would proceed based on the Oyo State High Court judgement, the Anyanwu group resisted the move.

 And in the midst of the drama, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) expressed support for Damagum just as it called for reconciliation of the warring groups.

…Damagum

Addressing the party’s BoT in Abuja, the party’s national chairman, Amb. Damagum said the party will hold its convention.

 Damagum, who had earlier been suspended by the rival group, lauded the Justice Akintola for delivering a landmark ruling.

“I must confess that what Justice Akintola did in this era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise is an act of courage.

 “In a time when some have sought to manipulate our courts and intimidate our judges, it takes bravery to stand for the truth and defend the law. His judgment is not just a victory for our party, but for democracy itself.

 “I realized then that what our party needed most was reconciliation, not vengeance, not anger, not blame. We needed to heal the wounds opened after the 2023 general elections,” he said while reading the communique at the end of the two-hour meeting.

…Wabara

Earlier, chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, had said the purpose of the gathering  was to  proffer a way out of the logjam currently plaguing the party.

 He said: “Time to reconcile and draw the line is now. Our resolves are not signs of weakness but demonstration of maturity and responsibility.

“No faction, loyalty, or ambition should override collective wishes of party members. Genuine reconciliation will make us go to Convention as one big family.”

 Consequent upon this, the meeting set up a high-powered committee to immediately reconcile all conflicting sides and restore unity ahead of the Ibadan Convention.

The committee which is headed by Ambassador Hassan Adamu from the (North East) has Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East), Senator Zaynab Kure (North Central), Prince Olagunsoye Onyinlola (South West) and Dr. Lubna Mohammed Gusau (North West), with Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (South South) as its Secretary.

 The BoT further mandated the committee to report back to it on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025 for further action.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting read in part:  “The BoT solidly stands with and commends the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP Governors Forum, the National Convention Organizing Committee and other critical Organs of the Party for their collective roles in stabilizing our Party, especially as we progress towards the conduct of the Elective National Convention scheduled to hold on the 15th and 16th of November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.

“The BoT welcomes the ruling of the Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice A L Akintola which affirmed the Constitutional right and liberty of our Party to manage its internal affairs including holding our 2025 Elective National Convention as scheduled. This landmark Ruling is victory to Democracy, Rule of Law and political development in our country.

 “The BoT however expresses worry over the recent developments within our ranks that have caused understandable concerns. The tensions, misunderstandings, and regrettable incidents that have played out in public, including the invasion of our National Secretariat, are not reflective of the ideals and character of the PDP.” 

…No convention – Anyanwu group

And in a counter, the rival national chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed said it received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice James Omotosho.

The party leader, who spoke to journalists in Abuja Wednesday, also hinted that the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), has provided a thorough legal opinion on the implications of the judgment.

 Going forward, the party said it has strictly adhered to due process and fairness by filing an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of the party, members and Nigerian democracy. 

 “Having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law the PDP, we hereby suspends and cancels the proposed Ibadan National Convention pending the decision of the appellate court,” it said.

 In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, the court had ordered the party to suspend the planned convention pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of certain leadership decisions within the party.

 “The National Leadership of the PDP, under my humble leadership as Acting National Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, in collaboration with our National Secretary, Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu, hereby formally informs the Nigerian public that we have received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Omotosho in Suit No. FHCIABJ/CS/2120/2025.

“The legal implication is that the State High Court has set aside a decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which decision is constitutionally the responsibility of the Court of Appeal!

 “Sadly, this has once again brought to the fore line the issue of judicial independence and the like of preparedness by the judiciary to insulate itself against the manipulation by their overlord executive arm of government.

“Rather than appealing the earlier FHC decision, the PDP shifted the battle to Oyo State, which seems to be their strong ground to upturn an existing order. That is a clear instance of judicial forum shopping and an abuse of the process of court. I hope the National Judicial Council will investigate the entire circumstances leading to contradictory orders, with the view to bring any erring judicial officer to book. 

 “If the judiciary could not hold the politicians accountable, then there is an eternal threat to our democracy. If for nothing else, the judiciary owed itself the responsibility of sanctity of its orders and respect for due process,” Abdulrahman said.

 …Lawyer’s opinion

Also speaking, a lawyer, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe, Esq. said: “Under the Constitution, the decisions of the Federal High Court have binding effect across the Federation and must be obeyed until set aside by a higher court. The principle is well-established that no person or institution, no matter how highly placed, is permitted to act in defiance of a subsisting order of court. In this regard, the PDP risks contempt proceedings should it proceed with the convention in disregard of the Abuja ruling, even if another coordinate court has granted a contrary order.

“That said, the Oyo High Court’s position underscores the broader tension between political expediency and legal compliance. While political parties are free to organize their internal affairs, such discretion is subject to the rule of law. The multiplicity of suits across judicial divisions on the same subject matter not only undermines public confidence in the justice system but also exposes weaknesses in the coordination of judicial authority within the federation.”