ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nyesom Wike has declared that the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has been resolved following a Supreme Court ruling, while insisting that internal disputes within the African Democratic Congress remain unsettled.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory stated that the apex court’s judgment has clarified the leadership structure of the PDP and restored direction within the party.
Wike dismissed ongoing claims of division within the PDP, maintaining that the court’s intervention has effectively unified the party after months of internal disagreements.
He explained that the Supreme Court ruling addressed the legality of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, which had produced a leadership faction aligned with Seyi Makinde.
According to the judgment, delivered in a split decision of three to two, the convention was nullified due to failure to comply with earlier court directives that outlined conditions for conducting the exercise.
The court held that the PDP proceeded with the convention despite clear judicial instructions, a move that ultimately rendered the process invalid.
Wike emphasized that the ruling reinforces the importance of adherence to legal procedures in managing internal party affairs and maintaining institutional integrity.
He expressed confidence that the verdict has now put an end to the leadership dispute, allowing the party to refocus on its political objectives ahead of future elections.
In contrast, Wike pointed to ongoing legal uncertainty within the African Democratic Congress, noting that the Supreme Court did not reach a final conclusion on the matter.
Instead, the apex court referred the ADC case back to the Federal High Court for further proceedings, indicating that the dispute within the party remains unresolved.
Wike highlighted this distinction to underline what he described as stability within the PDP compared to continued challenges in the ADC.
“The Supreme Court referred the ADC back to the Federal High Court. The ADC is still a problem,” he stated, reinforcing his position on the issue.
Political analysts note that court rulings often play a decisive role in shaping internal party dynamics in Nigeria, particularly when disputes escalate into legal battles.
The PDP, one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties, has faced recurring leadership challenges in recent years, making judicial clarity crucial for its organisational stability.
Meanwhile, the ADC continues to grapple with competing claims over leadership, a situation that could affect its cohesion as the political landscape gradually shifts toward the 2027 general elections.
As both cases continue to unfold, attention will remain on how party leaders respond to judicial outcomes and whether internal reconciliation efforts will follow to strengthen unity and preparedness for upcoming political contests.
