By Chinedu Sabastine
The National Vice Chairman (South East) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Ray Nnaji, has dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum in the party, insisting that the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria has been widely misinterpreted.
Nnaji, who spoke amid growing concerns over the party’s internal crisis, maintained that the PDP leadership remains intact and fully operational.
He was reacting to a statement by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, who claimed that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) had assumed leadership following the Supreme Court ruling.
Wabara had argued that since the apex court invalidated both factions that emerged from the Ibadan convention, the BoT—as the second-highest organ of the party—was constitutionally empowered to take over temporarily. He further directed that party structures operate under BoT supervision pending the constitution of a caretaker committee.
However, Nnaji rejected the claim, describing it as a misinterpretation of the court’s ruling.
“There is no leadership vacuum. We are in charge, we are in possession of our national secretariat, and the party structure is intact,” he said.
He accused some party members, including a former chairman, of deliberately distorting the court’s decision to create confusion within the party.
According to him, a proper understanding of the Supreme Court judgment requires examining the origin of the dispute, which arose from disagreements over the party’s national convention held in Ibadan.
Nnaji explained that aggrieved members had approached the court to challenge the planned convention, arguing that it was premature, as several state congresses had not been conducted and due process was not followed.
“The case was fully argued; it was not an ex parte matter. The court clearly stated that certain conditions must be met before holding the convention,” he said.
He further alleged that despite an existing court order, another faction proceeded with the convention after obtaining an ex parte order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction—an action he described as a violation of due process.
“As a result, the Federal High Court nullified the convention for disobeying a subsisting court order. That decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal and ultimately affirmed by the Supreme Court,” he added.
Nnaji noted that the apex court, in a split decision, dismissed the appeal, thereby reinforcing the earlier rulings.
He stressed that the judgment was based on disobedience to court orders rather than internal party affairs.
“Violation of court orders, the Electoral Act, or the Constitution of Nigeria cannot be dismissed as internal party matters,” he said.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that the party’s current leadership remains legally recognized and functional, warning that those acting contrary to court rulings risk contempt proceedings.
He also downplayed concerns that the lingering crisis could weaken the party, particularly in the South-East, expressing optimism that aggrieved members would eventually return.
“Even in a family, disagreements happen. They do not destroy the home. Our focus is to rebuild and strengthen the party,” Nnaji said.
He called for reconciliation among party members, adding that he would be willing to step aside if it would serve the overall interest of the party.
“Our doors remain open. We are committed to making the PDP stronger and more competitive,” he said.
