The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Thursday as the faction led by Acting National Chairman, Muhammad Abdulrahman, announced a boycott of the party’s national convention scheduled for Ibadan this weekend, declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.

The Abdulrahman-led faction, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and several National Working Committee (NWC) members, met in Abuja and resolved to shun the Ibadan gathering, accusing the Umar Damagum-led group of “brazen disregard for valid court judgments” and “flagrant abuse of the PDP constitution.”

Abdulrahman urged delegates and members across the 36 states and the FCT to stay away from the convention, stressing that the PDP must operate strictly within the boundaries of the law.

“We are concerned with moving the PDP forward,” he said. “Therefore, all delegates should stay away from the Ibadan convention and wait for the right time. We will continue to mobilise for a strong and united party anchored on justice and legality.”

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who attended the meeting, accused the Damagum group of undermining democracy through disregard for the judiciary.

“We will not succumb to intimidation,” Wike declared. “We believe in the rule of law and will continue to defend the PDP wherever we are. I will not betray those who stand by the constitution of this party.”

He praised party members nationwide for their resilience, emphasising that the struggle was about principle, not personal ambition.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said after the meeting that the board had resolved to obey existing court orders restraining the conduct of the convention.

“Anyone attending the Ibadan event would be doing so for leisure, not for PDP business,” he said. “We have reviewed our activities and agreed to obey all court decisions concerning the convention. Anyone going there in the name of PDP should consider it a jamboree.”

Ohuabunwa disclosed that National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu had issued an official circular notifying members of the postponement, insisting that the Damagum faction’s event “holds no binding effect on the PDP family.”

A communiqué issued after the meeting reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to peace, due process, and the rule of law.
“The proposed convention in Ibadan stands in open contradiction to subsisting judicial pronouncements,” the communiqué read. “The PDP cannot proceed with any convention while state and local government congresses remain unresolved and pending before a competent court.”

The leaders maintained that the party’s strength lies in its fidelity to the law, warning that any deviation would deepen internal chaos.

“Our commitment is simple and firm: the PDP shall stand, and we shall stand by doing what is right,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Adolphus Wabara-led BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, blamed the party’s crisis on politicians allegedly plotting to weaken the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections to revive it later for personal gain.

“Some people do not want the PDP to field candidates in 2027. They want the party dead now so they can resurrect it in 2031 for their own use,” Wabara said.

He maintained that the BoT under his leadership remained neutral and committed only to the party’s survival.
“Whatever decisions we take will be to keep the PDP alive. I have no interest in any elective position; my only concern is that the party must survive,” he said.

Wabara, however, maintained that as far as party organs were concerned, the Ibadan convention remained valid, unless a competent court rules otherwise.

“If we are stopped by the courts, we are a law-abiding party. We will obey the law, or the last order, as the case may be,” he added.

The BoT Reconciliation Committee, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, reported that it had engaged governors, NWC members, and suspended national officers, including the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and Legal Adviser, in a bid to harmonise interests.

According to the committee’s secretary, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, the team recommended a “road map for sustainable and progressive party administration,” expressing hope that dialogue could still prevent a total collapse.

As the crisis deepens, both factions appear entrenched, one rallying behind judicial authority, the other relying on party organs.

With multiple litigations pending and the Ibadan convention mired in controversy, the PDP faces yet another critical test of unity and legality—one that could determine its relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.