The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected claims of a leadership vacuum following Thursday’s Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling.
The party maintained that Abdulrahman Mohammed remains its legitimate national chairman.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed said the court’s decision focused strictly on the legality of the Ibadan convention and did not impact the current National Working Committee (NWC).
He stated, “Let it be clear and unambiguous that the Supreme Court judgment of yesterday only nullified the illegal Ibadan Convention and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led purported NWC for lacking in merit.
“This remains the sole substance of the judgment, contrary to the false narratives being circulated. The judgment did not uphold any suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party.
“The reason is simple: the issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, let alone the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
“It was neither canvassed at the Federal High Court nor formed part of the questions for determination at any level of adjudication.
“The apex court addressed only the matter before it, which is the validity or otherwise of the so-called Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 Ibadan Convention
“Accordingly, throughout the Supreme Court judgment, there was no mention whatsoever of suspension or expulsion of any party officer.”
Mohammed added that there has been no vacuum, disruption, or absence of leadership within the PDP that would justify any interim control by another body. He insisted the party’s leadership remains intact, lawful, and fully functional under Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
He accused a rival group of misrepresenting the judgment to mislead the public, saying, “What we are witnessing is a desperate attempt by a rejected group to twist the clear facts contained in the judgement of the Supreme Court in order to mislead the public and seek undeserved sympathy.
“I make it bold to say that the judgement is a public document which can be accessed by anybody to ascertain the content of the said judgement.”
The spokesperson also rejected suggestions that the Board of Trustees (BoT) had taken over party leadership, describing such claims as unconstitutional. According to him, the PDP constitution does not empower the BoT to assume the duties of the NWC.
He further criticised claims linked to Adolphus Wabara, stating that his tenure as BoT chairman had already expired before the current dispute. He identified Mao Ohuabunwa as the recognised leader of the party’s BoT.
Mohammed urged Wabara to stop issuing statements on behalf of the party, warning that such actions would no longer be tolerated. He also cautioned the media against portraying the PDP as divided, insisting that the group associated with Turaki and Wabara lacks legitimacy.
“We urge the public and the media to be guided by truth and legality. There are no factions in the PDP,” he said.
