PDP crisis: Party has no leadership after Supreme Court ruling — Umar Sani

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

Mr. Umar Sani, a former spokesperson for the PDP presidential campaign, has declared that the party is effectively leaderless following a Supreme Court judgment that nullified the Ibadan convention.

Speaking on News Central TV in an interview monitored by Persecondnews this Friday, Sani explained that the apex court’s decision was based on a procedural breach.

According to the ruling, the Ibadan convention was conducted in direct violation of two existing court orders, rendering the entire exercise void.

While Sani acknowledged that there were dissenting opinions among the justices, he emphasized that the majority decision remains the final word of the law.

“The implication of the ruling is clear: the party must return to previous court directives and properly regularise its internal processes before attempting another convention,” Sani argued.

“What the Supreme Court is saying is that we should go back and do what the other courts have said. Do the housekeeping before we now send a letter to INEC informing them that we have complied with the court order, and then proceed to another convention,” he said.

He emphaszied that actions taken during the disputed period, including the setting up of party structures and conventions, are legally defective.

“They convoked meetings, set up a new NWC, and even set up a caretaker committee. If you are under suspension, you cannot validly do anything. Everything done within that period is void and of no effect,” he said.

Sani maintained that those affected remain under suspension and lack the authority to act on behalf of the party.

He argued that the PDP is effectively without leadership as the Ibadan convention has been set aside and related actions invalidated.

Sani said the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) has stepped in to stabilise the situation, noting that it is currently led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, who he described as the authentic chairman of the BoT.

According to him, the BoT is acting as a custodian of the party pending the constitution of a caretaker committee through the proper party organs.

“The BoT is the custodian of the assets and conscience of the party. It is only stepping in temporarily before NEC takes a final decision,” he said.

He explained that the National Executive Committee (NEC) process has already been triggered through the required statutory procedures, including signatures from members and notification to INEC.

Sani added that NEC, and not the BoT, will ultimately determine the next leadership direction of the party.

The PDP has continued to face internal disputes over leadership legitimacy following conflicting conventions and court interpretations, leaving its structure deeply divided.