With the 2027 general elections drawing steadily closer, anxiety is mounting among party members, aspirants, and supporters over whether the PDP can survive its deepening leadership crisis or whether its remaining structures will eventually collapse into another political party, most notably the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Uncertainty continues to hang over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions within the opposition party await a crucial ruling of the Court of Appeal scheduled for January 23, a decision that could determine the future of the once-dominant political platform. With the 2027 general elections drawing steadily closer, anxiety is mounting among party members, aspirants, and supporters over whether the PDP can survive its deepening leadership crisis or whether its remaining structures will eventually collapse into another political party, most notably the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The protracted legal battle over the legitimate leadership of the PDP has now shifted to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, following an appeal filed by the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. The dispute, which has split the party into two parallel structures, has effectively paralysed its national operations and cast doubt on its ability to present a united front ahead of future elections.
When the matter came up before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, counsel to the Turaki-led faction, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, informed the court that the appeal had already been duly entered at the Court of Appeal. He further brought to the attention of the trial court a motion seeking to stay further proceedings pending the determination of the appeal. Based on this development, the Turaki faction urged the Federal High Court to hands off the matter until the appellate court reaches a final decision.
The insistence by the Turaki group that the lower court should suspend proceedings underscores the intensity of the internal crisis and the high stakes involved. At the heart of the legal tussle is the question of which faction constitutes the authentic National Executive Committee of the PDP, a determination that carries significant implications for party leadership, candidate nomination, and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking in an interview with THISDAY, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the factional National Secretary aligned with the group led by Abdullahi Mohammed and loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said his faction would wait until the January 23 ruling before taking any decisive action. Anyanwu stressed that the outcome of the appeal would shape the next steps of his group in the unfolding political drama.
“Please let us wait on what the Court of Appeal will say on the motion over the crisis,” Anyanwu said. “After the January 23 date, I will speak on the next line of action. We are aware that election is around the corner and our supporters are waiting on where to go and how to go about it.”
His comments reflect the growing sense of urgency within the party, particularly among members with electoral ambitions who fear that prolonged uncertainty could cost them valuable time and political relevance. With political activities expected to commence fully by early April 2026 and party primaries likely to follow soon after, many aspirants are increasingly uneasy about remaining in a party mired in legal disputes and leadership confusion.
Jan 15, 2026
Similarly, Sani Umar, a former media aide to ex–Vice President Namadi Sambo who also serves as media aide to the PDP national chairman aligned with the Turaki faction, confirmed that the party’s suit would be heard on January 23. According to Umar, the Turaki-led group remains confident that the appellate court will rule in its favour.
“The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led PDP will wait till the matter is decided at the appellate court to decide on the next line of action,” Umar said, expressing optimism that the court would uphold their position.
Beyond the courtroom, the PDP’s crisis has manifested physically in the existence of multiple national secretariats. The Turaki-led faction currently operates from an office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, while the faction loyal to Wike functions from a separate office in Wuye, Abuja. Meanwhile, the party’s official national headquarters located on Michael Okpara Street, Wuse, remains sealed by the Nigeria Police Force, a stark symbol of the party’s internal paralysis.
Compounding the situation is INEC’s position on the crisis. The electoral body has reportedly declined to recognise the Turaki-led PDP due to conflicting court orders emanating from the leadership dispute. This lack of recognition has further heightened fears among party members that the PDP may be unable to meet critical electoral timelines or effectively participate in upcoming elections if the crisis persists.
THISDAY gathered that as the 2027 general election approaches, many PDP members—especially those nursing political ambitions—are seriously reconsidering their options. The central question troubling them is where to pitch their political future should the party fail to resolve its leadership crisis in time. Speculation is rife that a mass defection could occur, either to the Accord Party or, more prominently, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ADC has recently gained increased attention following the defection of prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, along with a significant number of their supporters. Their move has emboldened the ADC and positioned it as a potential rallying point for disgruntled PDP members seeking a new political home.
National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that the party is open to welcoming new members from across the political spectrum, including those from the PDP. Speaking on the matter, Abdullahi said the ADC sees itself as a broad coalition platform capable of accommodating diverse political interests
“We are open to all Nigerians,” Abdullahi said. “We cannot close our doors to anybody, including those from the PDP.”
This open-door policy has further fuelled speculation that if the January 23 court ruling does not decisively settle the PDP leadership crisis, a significant portion of the party’s remaining structure could collapse into the ADC. Such a development would mark a dramatic shift in Nigeria’s opposition politics and potentially redraw the political landscape ahead of 2027.
For now, all eyes remain fixed on the Court of Appeal. The January 23 ruling is widely seen as a make-or-break moment for the PDP—a decision that could either restore some semblance of order or accelerate the party’s fragmentation. Until then, uncertainty reigns, and the future of one of Nigeria’s most influential political parties hangs precariously in the balance.
