PDP’S FAMILY MEETING TURNS FUNERAL — TOP OFFICERS AXED AFTER COURT STRIKE

By Ademola Adekusibe
November 1, 2025

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended four top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), amid growing internal disputes following a court order halting the party’s planned national convention.

The suspension, which is to last for one month, also affected the Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.

The development was announced on Saturday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, after an emergency NWC meeting held at the party’s Legacy House office in Maitama, Abuja.

According to Ologunagba, the affected officials have been referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee for further action in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

He said, “The NWC, in line with the constitution of the PDP, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee.”

The move came barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the party from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, issued the order while ruling on a suit questioning the legality of the planned convention.

Reacting to the ruling, the PDP, through Ologunagba, had earlier rejected the court’s judgment, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

In a statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court,” the party insisted that the judgment does not affect its preparations for the national convention or its internal processes to elect new national officers.

“The PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years,” Ologunagba said.

The party also referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the right of political parties to manage their internal affairs, saying it would rely on that precedent as it moves forward.

“Our party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement added.

The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has recently faced a series of internal wranglings over leadership, zoning, and strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.