In Nigeria, on April 19, 2026, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party from different zones signalled plans to take over the party’s national leadership if courts uphold the expulsion of Samuel Anyanwu and cancel key conventions linked to him. The move is being considered as a way to avoid a leadership gap as the party continues to face internal disputes.
The crisis, which involves rival factions within the party, has led to ongoing court cases over leadership and party decisions. Some zonal chairmen said they may rely on internal party powers to step in and form an interim leadership if the legal outcome removes current officials from office. Their plan includes selecting acting leaders from among existing members of the National Working Committee whose tenure is still valid.
The situation is tied to a pending ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on disputes surrounding party conventions and Anyanwu’s role. Party leaders said if the court confirms his removal and voids actions taken under him, it could leave the party without a recognised leadership structure, forcing them to act.
At the same time, a faction led by Tanimu Turaki has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, asking it to stop recognising Anyanwu as a party member or officer. The group pointed to an earlier High Court judgment which it said removed him from the party, arguing that his continued role lacks legal backing.
The dispute dates back to earlier disciplinary actions within the party, where Anyanwu was accused of anti-party activities and later removed by a faction of the leadership. He challenged the decision in court, but his case was dismissed, leading to further legal steps, including an appeal.
Despite the legal issues, Anyanwu took part in organising a national convention held in Abuja in March 2026, which produced a new leadership backed by a group loyal to Nyesom Wike. That leadership was later recognised by INEC, adding to the tension between the factions.
However, the Wike-aligned camp rejected claims that Anyanwu was validly removed, stating that the disciplinary process that led to the recommendation was not properly approved by party organs. The group also maintained that the court ruling did not directly confirm his removal and said the appeal filed earlier is no longer necessary.
Observers say the outcome of the legal battle could affect the structure of the party, as actions taken by Anyanwu may be questioned if his removal is upheld. Legal experts noted that the validity of his actions depends on whether he was still a recognised member at the time, while also stressing the need to review how the disciplinary process was carried out.
The ongoing conflict continues to shape the future of the party as it prepares for upcoming elections, with different groups positioning themselves for control depending on the court’s final decision.