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PDP Convention: Tear Gas and Factions Disrupt Wadata Plaza
When the foundations of a political party are shaken, even its most revered traditions turn into conflict zones. The People's Democratic Party's convention on November 15 and 16, which was meant to be a time for healing and setting a course, has instead turned into days marked by legal uncertainty, internal anger, and direct clashes. ISMAEEL UTHMAN writes
TheThe national convention of the People's Democratic Party has become a display highlighting the party's internal instability and the intense competition for its leadership.
Although the Ibadan convention took place in violation of three distinct Federal High Court rulings, a group within the PDP's National Working Committee, headed by the party's former National Chairman, Umar Damagum, cited authorization from an Oyo State High Court as justification for the meeting.
Justice Ladiran Akintola from the Oyo State High Court issued an interim ruling on November 4 that allowed the party to proceed with its convention activities without interference.
The decision followed Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court halting the PDP's convention on October 31, stating that the planned event violated the 1999 Constitution, the PDP Constitution, and the rules set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
On November 6, Justice Peter Lifu from another Abuja Federal High Court halted the Damagum-led NWC from continuing with the convention until a case filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido is resolved.
During his ruling on a related issue on November 14, Justice Lifu once more prohibited INEC from overseeing, observing, or acknowledging any convention organized by the PDP unless the former governor is included as a participant.
Legal professionals noted that the Federal High Court and the State High Court are courts with equal authority, both being superior courts of record and holding comparable constitutional positions within Nigeria's judicial system.
The convention
Amidst the disputes, the convention took place and established a new National Working Committee, headed by Kabiru Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who became the new National Chairman. The convention also resulted in the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the factional National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu; Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN; former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose; Austin Nwachukwu; and several others due to their anti-party actions.
Sunday PUNCHmentions that the convention serves as the top decision-making body of a political party, as it establishes the National Working Committee, which is responsible for managing the party's activities during its official term.
Section 33(2) of the PDP Constitution states, “The National Convention is the highest and governing authority of the party as outlined in this Constitution, and it serves as the main representative, decision-making, and administrative body of the Party. Unless performing functions exclusively assigned to other entities as specified in this Constitution or in regulations established under its provisions, the National Convention holds ultimate authority on all party-related matters, and all party officials and departments must adhere to the decisions made by the National Convention.”
The influence of the convention clarifies why the two groups within the PDP initiated legal actions to gain control of the party's leadership during a long-standing internal conflict. According to analysts, this situation also highlights how politicians are increasingly using the court system to undermine rival factions.
Political analysts note that the contradictory decisions regarding the PDP convention caused confusion and sparked doubts about the courts' consistency and fairness.
According to him, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, stated exclusively
"criminal desperation and complete indifference towards the judiciary" led Damagum to push forward with the convention. "The court decisions halting the convention are clear and straightforward, so there was no ambiguity," he added.
Osadolor did not acknowledge the convention, calling it just a meeting and "an early Christmas party."
He pointed out that desperation, recklessness, and arrogance were responsible for the Ibadan convention.
I am convinced that they are adults who are informed, and they understand the consequences of engaging in an activity that holds no legal value. However, I recognize that their actions reflect a state of desperation. It is a way to save face and offer false hope to their supporters.
"The reality is this: the organizer of the event is fully aware that it was an early Christmas celebration held in Ibadan, not a PDP conference. Two capable courts have issued clear orders regarding the nature of the gathering. I'm unsure of their level of desperation, but I believe it stems from arrogance and recklessness — an attitude that has not benefited us so far," he stated.
Osadolor argued that every decision made during the convention was pointless, claiming it lacked any legal basis.
While discussing why the Damagum-led NWC continued with the convention despite two active court orders, the South-West Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, stated that the issue was entirely political and should not have been considered by the courts initially.
He claimed that the decisions halting the convention were probably going to be overturned by higher courts, which is why the action had to proceed.
This is purely a political issue, and the Supreme Court has consistently stated that political questions—especially those related to internal party matters—are typically not subject to judicial review. The court should not have taken up this case in the first place. That said, the Oyo State High Court that approved the convention does have authority over the matter. It is a case of equal jurisdiction. When there are conflicting court rulings, they are seen as advisory rather than enforceable for the parties involved. It is now the responsibility of a higher court to address these differences and bring clarity to the issue, as conflicting decisions can lead to confusion and inconsistency in legal application.
Those individuals (Wike bloc) tried to outsmart us, but we didn't let that occur. That's why we organized the convention. We had also challenged the decisions that prevented the convention from taking place and requested a suspension of the execution.
The convention has established a new leadership, and the decision we made is mandatory for all party members. Let me clarify that the conflicting rulings are no longer enforceable; they are now advisory, particularly since another court with equal authority issued a different judgment, enabling us to move forward with the convention.
We adhered to all required protocols and procedures for the convention. We sent a letter to INEC, providing the 21-day legal notice mandated by law. Fourteen members of the PDP NWC, including the national chairman, endorsed the convention, while only four were in opposition. Thus, we have the majority, and the convention's decision is binding for all party members.
In the same way, Mansur Hassan, a representative of Lamido, thinks the convention will be invalid, calling it a "trick." Hassan mentioned that the Damagum group should have put it on hold and permitted the formation of an interim committee to address the party's issues.
He said, "The court will take the necessary action at the right time because they chose to ignore the court's order and proceeded with the convention. In the end, they will face the consequences. The court will definitely invalidate the convention."
The committee responsible for oversight should have been established with necessary reconciliation, ensuring access and a supportive atmosphere for all to participate. The current state of the PDP demands that everyone is included. You must fully reconcile and rebuild people's trust and optimism within the party. This seems straightforward, and it's better than spending time and resources on a convention, only for the court to declare it invalid. What is the point of doing so?
Absence of INEC at the convention
As per Hassan, the lack of INEC's presence at the convention indicates that the meeting was not sanctioned by the commission and was therefore unlawful.
"We delivered the court order to INEC on Friday (one day before the convention), which is why it did not participate in the unlawful assembly. It is invalid," he stated.
However, Ajisafe stated that INEC's presence was not required, noting that only the 21-day notice was compulsory.
He stated, "The 21-day notice of the convention is required, and this was done through a letter signed by both Damagum and Anyanwu. The law states that INEC may participate in the convention, but it also mandates that a '21-day notice must be provided' to the commission regarding the convention. We have fulfilled all necessary requirements."
Conflict, tear gas at PDP headquarters
Nevertheless, the convention crisis escalated into violence on Tuesday when the newly formed NWC led by Turaki, along with Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), went to the PDP National Secretariat to request a National Executive Council meeting.
Their effort to enter the building quickly led to a conflict, as the Wike group, which had already taken over the premises earlier that day, prevented entry and claimed the opposing faction was not legitimate.
The deadlock soon escalated into turmoil, with police at the secretariat firing teargas to clear out party members, leading to a highly disordered scene near the office. Makinde and Mohammed were observed using handkerchiefs to wipe their faces as the teargas spread. In another incident highlighting the instability, an unknown individual was seen attacking people being driven out of the NEC hall.
However, despite the conflict, Turaki, Makinde, and Mohammed eventually entered the national chairman's office, while the Wike faction went elsewhere to declare the expulsion of the three.
By the morning of Wednesday, law enforcement returned to the secretariat to enclose it with barbed wire, effectively closing the facility. Security officials stated that the move was made to stop Turaki's group from conducting the rescheduled NEC meeting.
Ajisafe, in response to the turmoil, characterized the scenario as embarrassing and a bid by a "minority" group to impose their will on the majority.
They (Wike faction) have no sense of shame. It was a disgraceful event. How can a minority attempt to dominate the majority? The current situation on the ground is 14 to 4. We are 14 on our side, while the Wike group consists of only four individuals, including Anyanwu.
That's why people are now accusing INEC of remaining quiet. They are the ones creating issues. How can you stay silent about the suspension of Anyanwu and others? INEC should have expressed their stance on this matter according to the party's constitution.
However, Osadolor held Makinde and Muhammed responsible for the violence. "Throughout my entire life, I never imagined that a day would arrive when the spiritual/sacred headquarters of the PDP, the Wadata Plaza, would be so desecrated by the two governors' actions. This does not reflect well on our character or our democratic values before the Nigerian people. It is a total catastrophe and a source of disgrace," he stated.
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