By Wealth Oghenemaro
The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic twist as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
The petitioners accused Justice Akintola of judicial misconduct for issuing an ex parte order permitting the PDP to hold its national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. They argued that the order directly contradicted an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had restrained the party from proceeding with the event.
Two weeks earlier, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had barred the PDP from convening the convention, citing non-compliance with internal party procedures, including failure to properly notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, Justice Akintola’s subsequent order effectively overruled that decision, deepening divisions within the opposition party. The development has further polarized the party between the faction led by suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu—aligned with Wike—and the camp loyal to Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
In a petition dated November 5 and received by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria the following day, PDP leaders Austine Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah George described Justice Akintola’s ruling as “judicial recklessness, impunity, and a flagrant violation of legal norms.”
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nwachukwu, who chairs the Imo State PDP, appeared alongside Abia PDP Chairman, Nnanna, while George was unavoidably absent. Nwachukwu alleged that Justice Akintola’s order of November 4—which cleared the way for the Ibadan convention—was in direct conflict with Justice Omotosho’s judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 delivered on October 31.
“This development undermines the sanctity of the judiciary and risks eroding public confidence in the justice system,” Nwachukwu warned.
The petitioners urged the NJC to investigate the Oyo judge and apply appropriate sanctions, warning that failure to act could embolden errant judicial officers. They also cited similar disciplinary actions taken against judges in Rivers and Imo States as precedent.
Meanwhile, Justice Akintola on Monday adjourned hearing in a separate suit filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, Damagum, and others to November 12. Adelabi is seeking to restrain the party and INEC from taking any steps that could hinder the planned convention.
During the proceedings, Justice Akintola directed all parties to file their remaining processes and warned the PDP to strictly adhere to its convention timetable and internal guidelines. Journalists were, however, barred from the courtroom as security operatives restricted access.
The conflicting court orders have further muddled the PDP’s internal crisis, with one court authorising the Ibadan convention while another forbids it. Justice Omotosho’s earlier ruling had specifically directed the PDP to issue a 21-day statutory notice to INEC and cautioned the commission against recognising any convention held in violation of that directive.
