PDP Impasse: Board of Trustees Intervention Necessary Following Appeal Court Verdict, Says Olaifa

A call to action has been made by Chief Sunday Olaifa, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party, to the party's Board of Trustees, led by Adolphus Wabara, to swiftly address the ongoing leadership crisis, following a recent Court of Appeal ruling.

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Olaifa, a former Lagos PDP Vice Chairman and current state Organising Secretary, made this statement on Monday in reaction to the appellate court's decision regarding the prolonged dispute over the party's national leadership.

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The Court of Appeal upheld a previous ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the November 15-16, 2025, PDP national convention in Ibadan, thereby invalidating the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee that emerged from the convention.

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The appellate court also upheld the suspension of three principal officers, including National Secretary Samuel Nwanyanwu, who is linked to a faction backed by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, further complicating the party's leadership structure.

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Olaifa described the ruling as a "win-win situation" that requires urgent political intervention to stabilize the party, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the crisis.

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According to Olaifa, all actions taken by the suspended officers within the 30-day period, including the dissolution of state executives and the constitution of another NWC, are illegal and void, highlighting the need for a new approach.

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Olaifa noted that the ruling nullifying the Ibadan convention also effectively halted the operations of the factional National Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, which had been a point of contention within the party.

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The judgment, Olaifa argued, means that structures and congresses conducted under the disputed caretaker leadership lack legal standing, and therefore, the party must move quickly to save itself from further instability.

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Olaifa questioned the legitimacy of the caretaker committee's actions, asking if a suspended individual can summon a meeting to appoint a caretaker committee or dissolve executives in any state, emphasizing the need for a legitimate leadership structure.

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The court's affirmation of the suspension, Olaifa said, renders all activities carried out by the committee null and void, making it essential for the party to return to the drawing board and re-evaluate its approach.

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Olaifa insisted that the caretaker committee cannot remain in place, as its dissolution of state executives and creation of new structures were illegal, and that even ward and local government congresses conducted by the committee would be futile.

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According to Olaifa, state executives earlier dissolved by the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee remain valid in the eyes of the judgment, providing a potential foundation for the party to rebuild its leadership structure.

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The only PDP organ unaffected by the ruling, Olaifa noted, is the Board of Trustees led by Wabara, which he described as the party's lifeline in these uncertain times.

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Olaifa urged the Board of Trustees to bring both camps together and chart a new path for the party's survival, warning that if nothing is done urgently, the party may drift into the wilderness.

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Olaifa emphasized that neither faction can claim outright victory from the judgment, and that the only way forward is for the party to come together and return to the drawing board.

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The ruling, Olaifa said, has significant implications for the party's ability to hold congresses and present candidates in elections, as the factional caretaker committee cannot produce candidates due to the lack of a legitimate foundation.

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Olaifa noted that parties dissatisfied with the appellate decision may still seek review by the Supreme Court, and that he foresees appeals heading to the apex court in the near future.

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Recalling that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that party congresses and leadership processes are largely internal affairs of political parties, Olaifa argued that the PDP leadership should resolve the crisis internally rather than prolonging legal battles.