The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has welcomed the Federal High Court ruling affirming its legitimacy as the party’s recognized leadership.
The committee called on all members to embrace unity, reconciliation, and adherence to due process.
In a statement on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungude Mohammed, the Caretaker Committee emphasized that the PDP derives its legitimacy solely from compliance with its Constitution, extant laws, and valid court orders, not from unlawful claims or impersonation.
The court had nullified the PDP National Convention held on November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and barred Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
Justice Uche Agomoh ruled that the Caretaker Committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, remains the only recognized National Working Committee (NWC) until a valid convention is conducted.
Earlier, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were elected for a four-year term.
However, the Wike-aligned faction maintained that Mohammed, Anyanwu, and the 13-member caretaker committee, appointed in December 2025 with a 60-day mandate, remained the acting leadership.
Both factions had sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has refused to endorse either group. Multiple court cases have been filed to resolve the leadership dispute ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to the ruling, the Wike-backed PDP expressed deep satisfaction, describing the judgment as a decisive victory for the rule of law, constitutionalism, and internal party democracy. The statement read in part:
“The landmark judgment nullifies the conduct, outcome, and entire proceedings of the purported Ibadan convention, reaffirming that legitimacy can only be derived from strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, existing laws, and valid court orders—not self-help through unlawful assertions of authority.
“We congratulate our members and supporters for their patience, resilience, and unwavering faith in due process. We call on all party members to remain calm, law-abiding, and united as we move forward in the spirit of reconciliation and renewed commitment to the ideals of our great party.
“We appeal to all aggrieved members to sheath their swords. This victory belongs to the entire PDP family. Our doors remain open for genuine reconciliation and integration, which will strengthen unity, deepen internal cohesion, and refocus our efforts toward building a stronger and more formidable PDP.
“We commend the Judiciary for once again rising to its constitutional responsibility as an impartial arbiter in political and constitutional disputes.”
The Wike-backed faction reaffirmed its commitment to internal party democracy, urging all members to rally behind the recognized leadership and work collectively toward progress, cohesion, and a robust PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
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