The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed the suspension of key officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including the former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and the National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature.
The appellate court upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which had previously restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing the outcome of the PDP’s 2025 National Convention.
The suspension of the officials by the party’s National Working Committee took place on November 1, 2025, following disputes within the party leadership.
The Court of Appeal rejected challenges from the affected officials and maintained that the actions taken by the PDP’s National Working Committee were lawful under the party’s rules and the relevant electoral laws.
The ruling also reinforced the earlier court’s decision preventing INEC from validating the results of the national convention until the party complies with all required constitutional and statutory procedures.
The confirmation by the appellate court adds to ongoing tensions in the PDP, as the party continues to face internal disputes over leadership and organizational processes. Observers say the ruling could affect preparations for upcoming elections, as the party struggles to resolve disagreements among its top officials.
The Abuja appellate court panel delivered the judgment after reviewing the appeals filed by the suspended officials, which contested both their suspension and the jurisdiction of the lower court to hear the matter.
With this decision, the Federal High Court’s restrictions remain in force, and the officials will remain suspended while the party addresses internal disagreements and legal requirements.
This development marks another turn in the PDP’s prolonged internal crisis, which has seen several factions contesting leadership positions and disputes over conventions and party governance continuing into 2026.