The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the recent Court of Appeal judgment nullifying its national convention held in Ibadan last year was part of a broader plot to sideline the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, made the claim on Tuesday during an expanded meeting of the board convened to deliberate on the implications of the ruling.
The meeting brought together key figures within the party, including its two remaining governors, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, as well as members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC), and the Forum of PDP State Chairmen.
Addressing participants, Wabara described the court judgment as an attempt to weaken the party’s political prospects but urged members to remain focused on rebuilding the organisation.
“The whole idea is to edge us out,” Wabara said. “But we will find our way if we approach this with open minds. In these meetings, we must carefully examine the situation and determine how to get the party back on track.”
He stressed the importance of adherence to the party’s constitution and the rule of law, warning that the PDP must make decisions guided strictly by its established legal framework.
“We must be very serious with the decisions we are going to arrive at. We must work in accordance with the Constitution. You can never go wrong if you abide by the Constitution and the rule of law,” the former Senate President said.
Despite the legal setback, Wabara expressed confidence in the survival of the party, declaring that the PDP would continue to fight for its place in Nigeria’s democratic space.
Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking at the meeting, described the current situation as one of the most challenging periods for the PDP and for Nigeria’s democratic system.
According to him, consultations with experienced political actors revealed that the present political environment is unprecedented in the country’s democratic history.
“I have been talking to people of knowledge—people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country—and none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today,” Makinde said.
However, the governor maintained that the party remained undeterred and optimistic about overcoming its present challenges.
Makinde also reflected on the significance of the moment for political leaders, urging them to consider how history would judge their actions during the period.
“Even though we are only two PDP governors remaining in the party today, when the story of democracy in Nigeria is told, they will find us on the side of the people,” he said.
He encouraged party faithful not to lose hope, quoting a biblical passage to reassure members: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
National Chairman of the party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, also expressed concern over the implications of the appellate court’s decision.
Turaki noted that since the party’s November 15, 2025 national convention, the National Working Committee had worked to sustain the confidence of millions of Nigerians in democratic governance while striving to strengthen the PDP’s political fortunes.
He described the expanded BoT meeting as a critical opportunity for party leaders to evaluate the situation and identify practical steps to address the crisis.
“This meeting gives us the opportunity to consider the situation on the ground and come up with workable and implementable options that will save this party and indeed save Nigeria’s democracy,” Turaki said.
The deliberations, however, ended without a final resolution. Party leaders agreed to reconvene on Wednesday to continue discussions on the way forward.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Emembong, told journalists after the meeting that the party had yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Court of Appeal judgment.
Despite the legal uncertainty, Emembong insisted that the PDP would participate in the 2027 general elections.
He revealed that the party’s ongoing digital membership registration drive had already attracted more than two million members nationwide.
Emembong also did not rule out the possibility of reconciliation with the rival faction within the party but stressed that any engagement would be guided by principles and the party’s constitutional provisions.
