***Tackles Wabara, rejects BOT takeover claim

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed claims by a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, describing his interpretation of the April 30, 2026 Supreme Court judgment as a deliberate distortion of facts.

At a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the PDP said the apex court judgment only nullified the controversial Ibadan “Convention” and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction for lacking merit, insisting that no pronouncement was made on the suspension or expulsion of any party official.

The party maintained that contrary to narratives being circulated in some quarters, the issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the courts, and therefore could not have formed part of the Supreme Court’s determination.

“The judgment is clear and unambiguous. It addressed only the validity or otherwise of the so-called 15th and 16th Ibadan ‘Convention’. At no point did the court make any pronouncement on suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party,” the PDP said.

The opposition party further insisted that there was no leadership vacuum within its ranks, stressing that its structures remained intact and fully operational under the National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

It described as “desperate and misleading” attempts by the Turaki group to twist the content of the judgment to gain public sympathy, urging Nigerians to rely on the Certified True Copy of the ruling, which it said is a public document.

The PDP also took a swipe at a former Senate President and ex-Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, over claims of a purported takeover of the party by the BoT.

According to the party, there is no provision in its constitution that empowers the BoT to assume the functions of the National Working Committee (NWC) or take over the leadership of the party.

It further argued that Wabara’s tenure as BoT chairman had expired prior to the current crisis, adding that the only recognised leadership of the organ is under Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

“Senator Adolphus Wabara should desist from parading himself as speaking on behalf of the PDP. Such actions amount to infractions that will no longer be tolerated,” the party warned.

The PDP accused those behind the Ibadan convention of acting in defiance of valid court orders, noting that their continued actions, even after the Supreme Court judgment, underscored what it described as a clear agenda to destabilise the party.

Reiterating that there were no factions within its fold, the party urged media organisations to desist from portraying it as divided, insisting that such characterisation was inaccurate and harmful.

It urged party members and the general public to disregard what it described as propaganda from “rejected elements,” insisting that it remained united, lawful, and focused on its role as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.