Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally taken over the national leadership of the party, citing constitutional provisions and the need to prevent a vacuum after a decisive Supreme Court judgment.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the BoT said its intervention became necessary following the apex court’s ruling, which invalidated the PDP’s November 15–16, 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“It is with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumes leadership of our great party today, Thursday, 30th April, 2026 pursuant to the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017),” the statement read.
The BoT explained that its action was aimed at maintaining continuity at the party’s national level. “This constitutional intervention of the BoT is so as not to allow any leadership vacuum at the national level of our party following judgment of the Supreme Court,” it added.
The Supreme Court ruling dealt a significant blow to the party’s leadership structure, declaring the Ibadan convention—which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee—invalid.
“Sadly, the Supreme Court, today delivered an unpleasant judgment against our party in which it pronounced an invalidation of the 15th to 16th November 2025 National Convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, Oyo State,” the BoT noted.
The court also upheld the suspension of key party officials. “While the Supreme Court invalidated the Ibadan Convention, it also in a unanimous decision of the five justices on the panel, upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively from the Party.”
According to the BoT, the judgment nullifies several actions taken by the affected officials.
“The implication of today’s judgment by the Supreme Court is that all actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee and the conduct and outcome of the March 29th, 2026 Convention in Abuja are illegal, null and ab initio void,” the statement said.
It further noted that with both the Turaki-led and Abdulrahman Mohammed-led committees invalidated, responsibility now rests on the BoT.
“The consequential invalidation of both the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led as well as the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Working Committees directly places the statutory onus of leadership of our great party on the shoulders of the Board of Trustees (BoT) as the Second Highest Organ of the Party, pursuant to the express and unambiguous provision of Section 32 (5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).”
The BoT said it would immediately take steps to stabilize the party.
“Against this backdrop, the BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP as immediate constitutional remedial steps to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilize and return the party to good political health.”
As part of its next steps, the BoT announced plans to convene an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“In the light of the foregoing an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), pursuant to the provisions of Section 31 of the Constitution of the PDP will be summoned to, among other things, appoint an Interim National Working Committee to take charge of the National Secretariat of our Party and pilot the affairs of the Party at the national level so as to meet all the timeline in the Electoral Act, 2026 and ensure that the PDP fields candidates and also emerged victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.”
Party staff were also directed to return to work under the BoT’s supervision pending the appointment of an interim leadership.
“Consequently, all staff of the PDP are hereby directed to resume at the National Secretariat of the Party under the leadership of the BoT ahead of the appointment of the Interim National Working Committee.”
The trustees commended party stakeholders for their resilience amid the crisis.
“The BoT commends the courage, effort and resilience of our governors, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Assembly caucus, the National Ex-officios, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and State chapters, the Youth and Women Wings and other organs and bodies in the PDP for standing strong for the party at this trying time.”
It also urged unity among members going forward.
“The BoT therefore calls on all leaders and members of the party to jettison all personal and group interests and come together as one family in the overall interest of our Party, democracy and the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians whose hope are anchored on the PDP.”
Reflecting on the broader implications, the BoT added:
“The PDP has suffered enough; the painful victims of this unfortunate episode is the Nigerian people. The time has therefore come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords and embrace genuine reconciliations for lasting peace and chart a new course for our party.”