PDP Leadership Crisis Escalates as Makinde, NWC Reject Appeal Court Verdict, Head to Supreme Court
The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a deeper turn on Tuesday as Seyi Makinde and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Umar Damagum, rejected the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal and vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In a statement issued shortly after the verdict, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the PDP faction aligned with Damagum, disclosed that the party’s legal team had been directed to immediately file an appeal before the apex court.
Ememobong explained that the decision to approach the Supreme Court was aimed at preventing potential adverse consequences that the enforcement of the judgment could have on party members nationwide.
“The operationalisation of this judgment will, without fail, cause untold hardship on our members,” the statement read. “To avert this, while we consult with critical organs of our party on the way forward, we have also instructed our lawyers to immediately take legal steps to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court, being the apex court in the land, to conclusively adjudicate on this matter.”
He expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would resolve the dispute swiftly in a manner that reinforces democratic values and restores clarity to the party’s leadership structure.
The spokesperson also appealed to PDP members to remain calm and united while the legal process continues, assuring them that the party would emerge stronger from the ongoing crisis.
“Our members should remain united and resolute. This legal battle will soon be over, and we shall be more than conquerors,” he said.
Ememobong further alleged that the party must be rescued from what he described as “government agents masquerading as opposition leaders,” a statement that underscores the intensity of the internal tensions currently confronting the PDP.
With the appeal now heading to the Supreme Court, political observers believe the eventual ruling could shape the future direction of the party and influence the balance of power within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
