The factional acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdulrahman Muhammed, has cancelled the party’s elective national convention scheduled for November 15.
Mr Muhammed, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s backed factional National Working Committee (NWC) announced this on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the party’s national leadership, including the suspended national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Omotosho in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
Mr Muhammed said the party’s national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, had also provided a thorough legal opinion on the implications of the judgment.
“In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members, and Nigerian democracy.
“Consequently, having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law, the PDP, we hereby suspend and cancel the proposed Ibadan national convention pending the decision of the Court of Appeal.
“Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned.
“Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the National Convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgment,” Mr Muhammad said.
He said the party leadership was also aware of an ex parte order recently issued by the Oyo State High Court.
“While we await the Certified True Copy of the said order, we reiterate that an ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court,” the politician said.
He reiterated PDP’s commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy.
Mr Muhammed said the NWC would communicate further decisions and next steps in compliance with the party constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Let it be restated unequivocally: the PDP remains one united and indivisible family. We are strong. We are focused,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether the factional NWC plans to hold a parallel convention, Mr Anyanwu said they were waiting for the outcome of the appeal.
He said that while the Federal High Court in Abuja and the State High Court in Oyo are equal, that of Abuja had more powers because all federal institutions were in charge of it.
“The State High Court order is just an ex parte order, which lasts only seven days. Before that ex parte order, the party had already filed an appeal at an appellate court.
“Of course, when a new motion is filed in a new court, that means everything will stay pending the outcome of the appeal. So, we shall wait for the appeal,” he said.
Also asked why he did not attend the party Board of Trustees meeting earlier in the day, Mr Anyanwu said he was not invited.
The Umar Damagum-led NWC had suspended Anyanwu and three others on Saturday for one month over alleged anti-party activities.
The other three suspended officers were the party’s national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, national organising secretary, Umaru Bature, and deputy legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.
A few hours later, the suspended NWC members in turn suspended Damagum and appointed Muhammed as acting National Chairman.
(NAN)