A deepening crisis continues to shake the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, led by suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, insists that the party’s forthcoming national convention will not hold. This defiance follows a ruling by an Oyo State High Court, which cleared the way for the PDP to convene its national gathering on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect new party leaders.

In an attempt to quell the turmoil, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) has established a Reconciliation Committee aimed at healing the rift within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). Following an emergency meeting in Abuja, the BoT mandated the committee to submit its report by Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for further deliberation. Despite the mounting tensions, the party’s elders reaffirmed that preparations for the Ibadan convention remain on course.

The Reconciliation Committee is chaired by Amb. Hassan Adamu (North East) with Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (South South) as secretary. Other members include Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East), Sen. Zaynab Kure (North Central), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (South West), and Dr. Lubna Mohammed Gusau (North West).

Presenting the BoT communiqué, Senator Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the Board, reaffirmed the BoT’s unwavering support for the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led NWC. Wabara stated that Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court upheld the PDP’s constitutional authority to organize its internal affairs including the 2025 Elective National Convention without external interference. He described the ruling as a triumph for democracy, rule of law, and political development in Nigeria.

However, Anyanwu’s faction swiftly dismissed the validity of the Oyo court’s decision. Speaking for the group, acting National Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed argued that a Federal High Court ruling overrides the ex-parte order issued by the Oyo court. Anyanwu maintained that while both courts hold concurrent jurisdiction, the Federal High Court in Abuja possesses broader authority over federal institutions, making its decisions binding in this context.

He further noted that the Oyo court’s order was ex-parte valid for only seven days and emphasized that his camp had already filed an appeal before the Oyo ruling was issued. According to him, this should have stayed all further proceedings until the appellate court’s decision. Anyanwu also condemned the recent BoT meeting as biased, claiming he was not invited and that several participants were illegitimate members of the Board.

With both camps refusing to yield, the PDP faces a renewed test of unity and legitimacy ahead of the planned convention, one that could reshape the party’s leadership and determine its political relevance heading into the 2027 elections.