The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention, recently held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has faced significant rejection and condemnation from several state chapters and key party figures. This widespread opposition stems from allegations of illegality, disregard for judicial orders, and constitutional infractions during the convention, which reportedly took place on Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The Imo State Chapter of the PDP firmly rejected the dissolution of its state leadership, describing the convention as illegal and conducted in disregard of a subsisting judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on October 31, 2025, had ordered the withholding of any convention until the party complied with its constitution. The Imo PDP also cited another judgment by Justice Peter Odo Lifu on November 14, 2025, reinforcing the need to halt the convention due to obvious abuses of process, constitutional irregularities, and the usurpation of powers of the National Secretary and National Organising Secretary. The chapter urged members to disregard the convention reports as propaganda, emphasizing that the party has yet to conduct a legitimate elective national convention.

Similarly, the Rivers State chapter of the PDP rejected the Ibadan convention as unlawful, declaring its resolutions unenforceable. The Rivers PDP commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for staying away from the event, viewing INEC’s action as an affirmation of its commitment to due process and democratic norms, particularly in light of two Federal High Court orders restraining the convention. The Akwa Ibom State chapter also distanced itself from the convention, describing it as “ill-fated and unlawful”, while echoing praise for INEC’s boycott as recognition of the court judgments.

Samuel Anyanwu, the suspended and later expelled National Secretary of the PDP, publicly described the convention as a “jamboree” and illegal. He highlighted that 16 states, including the entire South-East, had not conducted their congresses, rendering the convention non-inclusive. During the event, Kabiru Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, emerged as the new National Chairman. The convention also saw the expulsion of prominent party members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and Anyanwu himself, among others, for alleged anti-party activities. The motion for these expulsions was moved by Bode George, seconded by the Bauchi State PDP chairman, and ratified by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Additionally, the convention dissolved party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states. Despite these significant actions, the dissenting state chapters and expelled officials maintain that the resolutions are unenforceable and unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny. They expressed strong faith in the judiciary, noting that the actions arising from the convention are already sub judice at the Court of Appeal and are expected to be nullified. The Imo PDP specifically reiterated confidence in Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa as BoT Chairman, and Hon. Austin Nwachukwu as its State Chairman, emphasizing adherence to discipline and constitutional order within the party.