The lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic twist, as zonal chairmen signal readiness to assume interim control of the party if ongoing legal battles upturn its current leadership structure.
The development comes amid intensifying court disputes over the status of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the legitimacy of recent national conventions.
Investigations by Sunday Punch revealed that several zonal chairmen are considering invoking the doctrine of necessity to stabilise the party should the courts uphold Anyanwu’s expulsion.
Under the proposed arrangement, the zonal leaders, alongside remaining National Working Committee members with valid tenures, would appoint acting national officers.
A zonal chairman, who spoke anonymously, said decisive action had become inevitable.
“It is high time we put a final stop to all these crises. The zonal chairmen are not just there; we are part of the NWC and we have the mandate to stabilise the party,” he stated.
He added, “If the court upholds Anyanwu’s expulsion and the nullification of the Ibadan convention, it means there will be a leadership vacuum… If both conventions are nullified, then we will have to step in.”
‘Doctrine Of Necessity May Arise’ — Party Leaders
Another zonal chairman echoed the position, stressing that leadership intervention may become unavoidable.
“A doctrine of necessity may arise from these legal issues. If we do not have any legally recognised leadership, then steps may be taken to provide direction for the party. But we must wait and not preempt the court,” he said.
However, the North-East Zonal Chairman, Babangida Maddibo, urged caution.
“Let us wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court… When we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” Maddibo said.
The move by zonal leaders follows fresh pressure mounted on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by a faction led by Tanimu Turaki.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, the faction demanded the immediate derecognition of Anyanwu.
The letter cited a January 12, 2026 judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which dismissed Anyanwu’s suit and affirmed his expulsion.
“Senator Samuel Anyanwu has ceased to be a member… and has no competence to act on behalf of the party in any capacity whatsoever,” the letter read in part.
The faction argued that INEC was constitutionally bound to enforce the judgment, noting that the filing of an appeal does not amount to a stay of execution.
Crisis Rooted In Disputed Expulsions, Conventions
The PDP crisis dates back to March 2025, when the party’s disciplinary committee recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion over alleged anti-party activities.
The situation escalated during the controversial Ibadan convention of November 15, 2025, where key figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose, were reportedly expelled.
Despite the legal uncertainty, Anyanwu went on to organise the March 29–30, 2026, convention in Abuja, which produced Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman while retaining his own position as secretary.
INEC later recognised the Mohammed-led National Working Committee.
Wike Faction Dismisses Expulsion Claims
The Wike-aligned camp, however, has rejected claims that Anyanwu was ever validly expelled.
In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described such reports as misleading.
He argued that the disciplinary committee chaired by Tom Ikimi only recommended suspension, which was never ratified by the party’s top organs.
“The committee was constituted in violation of the PDP constitution… rendering its recommendations non-binding,” he said.
He further clarified that the FCT High Court ruling did not affirm any expulsion, adding that the appeal filed by Anyanwu was “inadvertently” lodged and would be withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the Turaki faction warned of far-reaching consequences if the courts uphold Anyanwu’s expulsion.
Spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said the party structure could crumble.
“If the court upholds Anyanwu’s expulsion, it would mean everything built on him will collapse like a pack of cards… It affects the so-called National Working Committee,” he said.
He stressed that Anyanwu signed key communications to INEC, including notices for NEC meetings and conventions.
“So everything will collapse on them,” he added.
