Allegations of illegal actions within Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have intensified, highlighting a power struggle between governors and national leaders. Acting Chairman Ambassador Damagum calls for patience amid legal uncertainty, while governors disregard judicial precedents. The crisis threatens the PDP’s stability and future in Nigeria’s political landscape, emphasising the need for adherence to constitutional…
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Nigerian political circles, allegations of illegal manoeuvrings within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reached a boiling point. The controversy, headlined by the Allied Patriots of Peoples Democratic Party statement “Governors vs Justice: The Ongoing Illegalities in the PDP,” exposes a bitter power struggle between a faction of PDP Governors and party stalwarts advocating for legal rectitude.
At the centre of this maelstrom is Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, whose impassioned calls for judicial deference have been met with defiant acts of political overreach by PDP governors and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
A Call for Patience Amid Legal Uncertainty
Ambassador Damagum has repeatedly urged the party’s leadership to exercise patience, insisting that the PDP should await the legal opinion from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the forthcoming Supreme Court judgement on the contentious National Secretaryship issue.
His counsel is rooted in a deep-seated understanding that precipitous moves could plunge the party into an inescapable quagmire of legal and political errors.
Indeed, just yesterday, an INEC lawyer informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that the commission was awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling on the PDP National Secretaryship.
This prudent submission raises a fundamental question: Should the PDP not mirror this cautious approach and safeguard itself against further internal disintegration?
Governors Defying Constitutional Mandates
Despite Ambassador Damagum’s measured advice, a group of PDP Governors, bolstered by a cadre of NWC members, have taken matters into their own hands. In a brazen act of defiance against established legal norms, these governors have sought to override constitutional provisions and judicial precedents.
The situation came to a head on February 22, 2025, when the South-South zonal chapter of the PDP convened a Zonal Congress in strict adherence to Sections 27(2)(c) and 27(2)(d) of the PDP Constitution—a process that, under normal circumstances, should fall solely within the remit of the Zonal Executive Committees.
However, under mounting pressure from a handful of governors with allegedly selfish ambitions, the NWC was coerced into cancelling this legitimately convened exercise, thereby setting a dangerous precedent for internal party lawlessness.
Judicial Precedents Ignored
The controversy is not merely an internal squabble; it strikes at the very heart of the PDP’s constitutional framework. Between 2012 and 2020, three Federal High Court judgements have firmly established that the power to convene party congresses lies exclusively with the Executive Committees at the appropriate levels—not with the NWC.
In landmark cases such as FHC/L/CS/347/2012 in Lagos and FHC/L/CS/636/2016, the courts explicitly ruled that the NWC lacks the constitutional authority to call for congresses.
A subsequent ruling in FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020, involving the Ogun State Chapter, reaffirmed this interpretation, underscoring that any attempt to override these judicial decisions would be legally void.
Yet, the South-South Governors appear to be blatantly dismissing these binding rulings, effectively undermining the party’s internal checks and balances.
Illegal Inaugurations and Expelled Members
The extent of the transgressions does not end with the cancellation of a properly constituted congress. Reports indicate that these same governors have gone further by sponsoring the inauguration of a so-called Caretaker Committee for the South-South PDP—a move that contravenes an existing Federal High Court order in Abuja.
This illegal inauguration involved the filling of positions that were not vacant, further compounding the legal irregularities.
Notably, Senator Adolphus Wabara, a controversial figure expelled by the Abia State Chapter, was seen attending the inauguration, lending an air of legitimacy to an exercise that is, by all accounts, unconstitutional.
Moreover, the recent inclusion of Chief Ali Odefa, a former National Vice Chairman of the South-East who had been expelled and whose expulsion was upheld by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, only further delegitimises these actions.
The presence of such expelled members within any purportedly official meeting raises serious concerns about the integrity of the process and the future direction of the PDP.
Implications for the PDP and Nigerian Democracy
This internal strife is not just a matter of party politics—it carries grave implications for Nigerian democracy. The PDP, historically one of Nigeria’s stalwart opposition parties, risks irreparable damage to its reputation and institutional stability if it continues to allow personal ambitions and factional interests to override constitutional mandates.
Ambassador Damagum’s warnings are clear: should the party suffer adverse consequences as a result of these illegal actions, the blame will not lie with him, but squarely with those governors and NWC members prioritising their personal agendas over the collective good of the PDP.
The PDP’s internal crisis highlights the fragility of political institutions when legal principles are set aside in favour of expedient power grabs.
Such actions not only undermine the rule of law but also erode public confidence in democratic processes.
With INEC and the judiciary taking a measured stance—waiting for the Supreme Court’s final ruling—the PDP finds itself at a crossroads.
Will the party heed the call for due process, or will it continue to slide down a perilous path of illegalities and internal discord?
The Road Ahead: A Crucial Juncture for the PDP
As the PDP grapples with this existential crisis, political analysts warn that the current trajectory could lead to long-term ramifications. If the party fails to address these internal inconsistencies and adhere to the rule of law, it may not only lose its moral authority but also its electoral competitiveness.
In an era where legal battles over party leadership have already led to high-profile cases—such as the Supreme Court’s reserved judgment in Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s appeal over his removal as National Secretary—the PDP’s future hangs in the balance.
The resolution of this crisis will require a concerted effort by all stakeholders. It is imperative that the PDP return to its constitutional roots, reaffirming its commitment to legal and democratic principles.
Only by doing so can it hope to rebuild public trust and ensure that the party remains a viable contender in Nigeria’s vibrant political landscape.
In conclusion, the ongoing legal and constitutional battle within the PDP is far more than an internal dispute; it is a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law in politics.
As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its long-awaited judgement, all eyes will be on the PDP to see whether it can transcend personal rivalries and restore the integrity that has long been the hallmark of a truly democratic institution.
- Additional reports from Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Senior Political Correspondent, and Kalada Jumbo, National Politics Reporter, Atlantic Post.
