The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again descended into crisis following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of its proposed national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Justice James Omotosho issued the restraining order while ruling on a suit challenging the legality of the planned convention — a judgment that has reopened old wounds and reignited long-standing divisions within Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Despite the ruling, the PDP leadership insists the convention will go ahead as planned, describing the judgment as an attack on internal democracy and the party’s constitutional right to manage its own affairs.

In a swift response, the National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of key officials, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, over alleged constitutional violations.

However, another faction retaliated by suspending National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four others, deepening confusion over who truly holds authority within the party.

Former presidential aide and PDP chieftain, Sani Umar, dismissed the counter-suspensions as desperate and illegal.

“They don’t have the authority to suspend the national chairman. The national chairman suspended them after the 6:08 p.m. NWC meeting. Out of 19 members, 15 attended that meeting. The four who were suspended cannot form a quorum to suspend anyone. It’s four against fifteen,” Umar said.

He explained that under Sections 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, the NWC has the authority to suspend members for one month pending referral to the National Disciplinary Committee, adding that due process was followed.

“I don’t even know where Anyanwu and his people held their meeting; the National Legal Adviser was not even in the country. So how three or four people held a meeting and claimed to suspend the Chairman is laughable,” he added.

Umar also criticised the court ruling, describing it as judicial overreach.

“The judgment merely asked us to give another 21-day notice to INEC, something we had already done. Those who filed the suit didn’t even ask for that relief — the judge gave them what they didn’t request,” he said.

He labelled the ruling “prejudicial, premeditated, and politically motivated,” and said the party would petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the judge’s conduct.

“We will appeal the judgment and seek a stay of execution so that the convention can proceed while the appeal is pending,” Umar stated.

He further alleged that the ongoing crisis was being fuelled by external political interests.

“These problems are induced by an ex-governor working with the APC administration, someone who publicly declared support for Tinubu in 2027. I don’t know why such a person should still have any business in the PDP,” he said.

According to Umar, the suspensions are part of a broader plan to “systematically ease some actors out of the party” through the convention process.

“If anyone can be accused of impunity in the PDP, it’s that ex-governor. He imposed Makarfi, Secondus, and Ayu, then removed each one when it no longer suited him. Now that the system isn’t favouring him, he’s crying foul,” he alleged.

A senior member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) said the current turmoil reflects a long-running power struggle between the party’s institutional organs and the bloc of governors who now dominate decision-making.

“The governors are the number one pressure group in the PDP. He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” the source said.

He explained that control of the convention, and by extension, the party structure,  is central to who will emerge as national chairman and presidential flag bearer ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Those who control the convention control the party’s future,” he said.

Another insider alleged that some members were exploiting the courts to stall internal reforms, while others pointed to the re-emergence of former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido as a new flashpoint in the feud.

“Lamido earlier distanced himself from PDP activities until Wike was suspended. Now he’s meeting with the Wike camp, which says a lot about his new alliances,” a source claimed.

Others downplayed Lamido’s recent attempt to purchase nomination forms as symbolic.

“Forms were sold at Legacy House, not Wadata Plaza. Sales opened on September 2 and closed on September 22, with submissions extended to October 27. So how can someone show up on the last day and claim he couldn’t get a form?” a source asked.

As the PDP grapples with legal battles, counter-suspensions, and deepening internal rifts, party elders warn that the opposition risks further fragmentation if reconciliation efforts fail.

Observers say the greater challenge now goes beyond holding a convention, it lies in rebuilding credibility and proving that Nigeria’s leading opposition party can stand together before 2027.