The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified following a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
Three party members loyal to the Wike-led faction — Hon. Austine Nwachukwu (Imo), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia), and Turnah Alabh George — accused the judge of judicial misconduct and abuse of office. The petition, dated November 5 and received by the Chief Justice’s office a day later, alleged that Justice Akintola issued an ex parte order permitting the PDP to hold its national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, despite an earlier Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that restrained the party from doing so.
The petitioners described the order as a breach of judicial ethics and a challenge to the authority of a court of coordinate jurisdiction. They urged the NJC to investigate the matter promptly to prevent what they called a “dangerous precedent” that could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
They also referenced past instances where the NJC acted swiftly in similar cases of judicial overreach in states like Rivers and Imo, emphasizing the need to uphold judicial integrity and impartiality.
Efforts to reach PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba, who supports the faction insisting the convention should proceed, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.