April 30, 2026
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party has formally assumed national leadership of the party following a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of Nigeria that nullified recent party conventions and leadership structures.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the BoT, led by its Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, stated that the decision to intervene was guided by constitutional provisions aimed at preventing a leadership vacuum at the party’s national level.
The intervention comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s ruling invalidating the PDP’s 15th–16th November 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, which produced the National Working Committee (NWC) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. The court also upheld the suspension of key party officials, including Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, and Kamaldeen Ajibade.
According to the BoT, the ruling renders all actions taken by the affected officials, including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the formation of a National Caretaker Working Committee, and the conduct of the March 29, 2026, convention in Abuja “illegal, null, and void.”
The Board stated that the dual invalidation of both the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led and Turaki-led working committees effectively transfers leadership responsibility to the BoT, in line with Section 32(5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), which designates it as the party’s second-highest organ.
“As a constitutional remedial measure, the BoT has immediately assumed responsibility for the national leadership of the party to stabilize operations and facilitate reconciliation,” the statement read.
To restore order and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, the BoT announced plans to convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC). The meeting is expected to appoint an Interim National Working Committee that will manage party affairs and ensure compliance with timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, 2026.
Party staff have also been directed to resume duties at the national secretariat under the supervision of the BoT pending the constitution of the interim leadership.
The Board commended the efforts of party stakeholders, including governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, the National Assembly caucus, state chairmen, and various party organs for their resilience during the crisis.
Calling for unity, the BoT urged party leaders and members to set aside personal and factional interests in favor of reconciliation and collective progress.
“The PDP has suffered enough, and the ultimate victims of this crisis are the Nigerian people,” the statement added. “This is the time to make sacrifices, embrace peace, and chart a new course for the party.”
The development marks a critical turning point for the PDP as it seeks to rebuild internal cohesion and strengthen its position ahead of the next electoral cycle.
