A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former minister Tanimu Turaki has raised concerns that a recent Supreme Court decision could plunge the party into deeper crisis and potentially weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
In a statement released on Thursday by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the group described the ruling as one that has created a leadership vacuum within the PDP, warning that the situation could destabilise the opposition party if not urgently addressed.
The warning follows a split judgment by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, which in a 3–2 decision upheld earlier rulings from the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court that invalidated a PDP national convention held in Ibadan.
The majority decision, delivered by Justices Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Stephen Adah, and Mohammed Garba, held that the appellants had violated a valid and existing Federal High Court order. The court also ruled that because the appellants were in contempt, their case could not be further considered, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
However, the dissenting opinion by Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Umar held that the dispute was an internal party matter and therefore not subject to judicial intervention. They also argued that the lower court case did not involve any federal institution but was strictly a leadership tussle within the party.
The Turaki-led faction further criticised the majority judgment, alleging that certain issues were raised by the court without giving parties the opportunity to respond, which they described as a departure from established legal procedure.
The group also noted that the ruling reinforced earlier decisions affecting key party figures, further deepening internal divisions within the PDP.
Despite the controversy, the faction expressed optimism that the party’s structures would intervene to restore stability and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
It warned that the ongoing leadership dispute could push the party into a “dangerous bend,” with potential consequences not only for the PDP but also for Nigeria’s broader democratic system.
