The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accepted the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which nullified the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
In a statement issued on April 30, 2026, and signed by its chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, the BOT said the ruling has brought clarity to the leadership situation within the party. The board described itself as the conscience and moral guide of the PDP and said it fully respects the decision of the apex court.
The Supreme Court judgment upheld earlier rulings by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal Nigeria, which had both declared the November 15 and 16, 2025 convention invalid. The convention, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, had been a subject of dispute within the party, with different factions laying claim to its outcome.
According to the BOT, the court’s decision means that all actions and leadership structures that came out of that convention have no legal standing. This clarification, the board said, is important for restoring order and stability within the party.
“As far as the law is concerned, the Ibadan convention stands nullified, and any structure that came from it has no legal foundation,” the statement said.
Following the judgment, the BOT affirmed the continuation of the party’s leadership under Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as National Secretary. The board described this leadership as valid and necessary to guide the affairs of the party at the national level.
The PDP has been one of Nigeria’s major political parties since the return to democracy in 1999. It held power at the federal level for 16 years before losing the presidency in 2015. Since then, the party has remained a key opposition force, but it has also faced internal disagreements, especially over leadership positions and party structure.
The BOT stressed that despite the internal challenges, the PDP remains functional and committed to its constitutional processes. It said the party would continue to operate through its recognised organs in line with its constitution, last amended in 2017.
To address lingering grievances, the board directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to set up a National Reconciliation Committee. This committee, it said, will reach out to members who may feel aggrieved by recent developments and work towards rebuilding unity within the party.
The BOT called on all members of the party to remain calm, loyal, and focused on the bigger goal of strengthening the PDP. It described the current situation as a time that requires discipline and collective effort.
“This is a moment for discipline, loyalty, and commitment to the ideals and future of the party,” the statement added.
The board also expressed confidence in the party’s resilience, stating that the PDP remains strong and capable of providing credible leadership in Nigeria. It said the party would continue to work towards its long-standing goal of contributing to national development and democratic governance.
The Supreme Court ruling is expected to have a significant impact on the internal dynamics of the PDP in the coming months. With the legal position now clarified, attention will likely shift to how effectively the party can unite its members and prepare for future political contests.
For many party supporters, the hope is that the judgment will mark the beginning of a more stable period for the PDP. For others, it is a reminder of the importance of following due process in party activities.
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its democratic institutions, developments within major political parties like the PDP remain closely watched. The ability of these parties to manage internal disputes and maintain unity is seen as essential to the overall health of the country’s democracy.
With the BOT’s endorsement of the court’s decision and plans for reconciliation underway, the PDP now faces the task of rebuilding trust among its members and presenting a united front ahead of future elections.