The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Adolphus Wabara, on Thursday in Abuja assumed control of the party’s national leadership following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria that overturned key decisions within the party. The action was announced in a statement after the judgment, as the party moved to address the leadership gap created by the court’s decision.
The trustees said they stepped in based on provisions of the party’s constitution to ensure there is no vacuum at the top. They also directed staff to return to work at the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza while new arrangements are put in place. Plans were announced to convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to set up an interim leadership that will manage party affairs.
The development followed the court’s decision to nullify the national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, which produced a leadership led by Tanimu Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The court ruled that the exercise went ahead despite existing orders that required certain conditions to be met before it could take place.
The judgment also upheld the suspension of some national officers, including Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature and Kamaldeen Ajibade. As a result, actions taken by the affected officials, including appointments and decisions tied to another leadership group, were declared invalid. This situation left the party without a recognised national working structure.
Following the ruling, different groups within the party gave varying interpretations of the outcome. A faction linked to Nyesom Wike claimed the decision favoured its position, while another camp aligned with Makinde said the judgment created uncertainty about the party’s leadership direction.
In response, the Board of Trustees said it would take over temporarily to stabilise the party, restore order and guide reconciliation efforts. The body said it would oversee the process of forming an interim working committee that would run the party in line with electoral timelines ahead of the 2027 elections.
The trustees also called on members, leaders and stakeholders to set aside differences and work together for unity. They said internal disputes had weakened the party and affected its supporters, adding that reconciliation is necessary to rebuild strength and prepare for future elections.
The BoT further acknowledged the efforts of party stakeholders, including governors such as Bala Mohammed and Makinde, as well as lawmakers and party organs, for standing by the party during the crisis. It urged continued cooperation to move the party forward and ensure it remains active in Nigeria’s political space.