The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) are experiencing escalating political problems, despite interventions from Nigeria’s highest court, the Supreme Court.
The situation in the PDP and LP is still chaotic, despite contending parties applauding the Supreme Court’s separate decisions, which upheld the idea that internal procedures should settle party leadership conflicts.
Determining the real occupant of its National Secretary position remains a challenge for the PDP. This conflict is around Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye. In the meantime, the LP is dealing with a similar dilemma about the job of national chairman, as three candidates have emerged: Lamidi Apapa, Nenadi Usman, and Julius Abure.
Dispute Over National Secretary Puts PDP in Limbo
Following the Supreme Court’s decision on March 21, 2025, which some argue reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, the PDP is apparently in a state of limbo. This choice ran counter to the PDP governors’ desire for Sunday Ude-Okoye. Zonal congresses that were initially planned for last weekend have been postponed because to the uncertainty surrounding the National Secretary, according to sources who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune.
The party is currently “in limbo,” with no progress being made on the national secretary issue, according to a PDP insider.
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s decision, which sought to settle the dispute by restating party procedures, the situation is becoming more complicated due to the party’s lack of political will.
According to the source, “the party’s inaction is complicating what appeared to be a straightforward case.”
However, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba defended the decision, claiming that the Supreme Court had given the party internal procedures the authority to settle leadership disagreements. The PDP wasn’t in a dire condition, he added, adding that the decision was “clear and beneficial to party administration.” Since the court’s ruling removed the issue from the courts’ purview, he underlined that party positions should be settled within.
LP Faces Leadership Difficulties
On the other side, the LP’s leadership situation is even more complex. Both Lamidi Apapa and Senator Nenadi Usman are vying for the role of national chairman, against Comrade Julius Abure, who has held the party secretariat. The challengers’ claims were rejected by LP National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, who said that the Supreme Court’s decision put the party back in the same position and that Abure was still the rightful chairman.
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Ifoh stressed that Abure had been the chairman the entire time, and the ruling of the supreme court did not ratify the appointment of any other person.
He added that any meetings conducted in violation of the party’s constitution were unlawful and that the court had not declared that Abure should leave his position. The CTC of the verdict, he said, confirmed that Abure remains the chairman.
Party leaders took the issue to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but Ifoh condemned their activities, claiming that the commission already had the CTC and didn’t need any further submissions. He cautioned that the party could become even more divided and lose its unity as a result of the ongoing disagreements.
Continued Internal Divisions
Concerns over the PDP and LP’s future and unity in the run-up to the general elections in 2027 are growing as a result of their ongoing internal conflicts. Over 75% of PDP members are apparently disenchanted with the party’s current leadership turmoil, and some are even thinking about quitting. In the meanwhile, if the LP’s leadership dilemma is not resolved, it may become less effective as an opposition party.
