The disarray among leading opposition parties has continued to dampen morale and limit options for the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections. This is despite politicians’ chest-thumping and confident posturing as factions battle to outwit each other in courts at a time when the opposition should be united to put up a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

As the deadline draws near for the submission of candidates vying for 2027 elections, which is expected to reach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) next month, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on its members to remain steadfast and hopeful as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a crucial leadership dispute on April 22, 2026.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, said this in a statement on Tuesday after a hearing of an appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging a ruling by the Court of Appeal affirming the High Court judgment, which nullified the last year November’s Ibadan National Convention of the party.

The convention produced the Turaki-led national executives. The FCT Minister-backed PDP had challenged the legality of the convention in court and prevailed. The Turaki camp filed an appeal, which was mentioned for the first time before the apex court on Tuesday.

Ememobong, however, said the PDP leadership urged its members nationwide to remain resolute and prayerful. He said the party is optimistic that the Supreme Court would deliver judgments that safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and prevent what it described as the enthronement of a one-party state.

The Abdulrahman Muhammed-led PDP, on the other hand, yesterday declared that the party is not engaged in any coalition or merger talks with any political group, as he reaffirmed the party’s unity and readiness to reclaim power ahead of 2027.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, Muhammed said recent speculations about a possible alliance with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or other parties were unfounded and misleading.

He stressed that the PDP remains a strong and independent political platform with a clear vision and strategy to reposition itself as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

Muhammed, who addressed party leaders and stakeholders, said the PDP had emerged stronger and more united after overcoming a prolonged period of internal and judicial challenges that once threatened its stability. According to him, the resolution of the crisis reflects the party’s institutional resilience and the collective commitment of its members to democratic principles.

The chairman also noted that the leadership dispute within the party had been conclusively settled, with the INEC formally recognising and uploading the names of the party’s national officers on its official portal. He described the development as a significant step that provides clarity and reinforces the legitimacy of the current leadership.

Muhammed further took a swipe at former Minister of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki, over statements suggesting ongoing coalition discussions, describing such claims as deliberate misinformation aimed at undermining the party.

Similarly, for the Labour Party (LP), the last is yet to be heard about the internal party wrangling as the Forum of Duly Elected State Chairmen of the party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, has written to INEC, warning against any plan to monitor or recognise fresh state congresses by a faction of the party. The forum described the move as attempted institutional sabotage, lacking a legal or constitutional foundation.

In a communiqué signed by the Secretary of the forum, Abdurrahim Imam Chindo, the group said it had written a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman and copied to key national and international stakeholders, insisting that valid state congresses were already conducted and monitored by INEC on December 6, 2025, across the federation.

They noted that statutory notice was issued in line with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and that the outcomes remain part of INEC’s official records, emphasising that they are products of a completed statutory process recognised by law.

He stressed that their mandate is rooted in law, not convenience, and cannot be replaced by administrative fiat in violation of the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.

The forum recalled that on February 16, 2026, INEC rejected a request by Nenadi Usman to recognise the purported dissolution of duly elected party structures. It added that INEC ruled the action was taken without statutory notice and constitutional authority, a position the chairmen said remains unchallenged and unremedied to date.

According to the communiqué, any attempt to monitor fresh congresses while valid, INEC-monitored congresses subsist would amount to duplication of leadership, destabilisation of party organisation, and erosion of public confidence in electoral regulation. The forum argued that only a court of competent jurisdiction can nullify congresses duly monitored by INEC.

They warned that if INEC recognises parallel congresses, it will contradict its own records and signal that lawful processes can be discarded. The communiqué was copied to the President, National Assembly leaders, security agencies, IPAC, the UN, and foreign missions in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has again written to INEC, demanding immediate compliance with a subsisting court judgment and seeking a meeting with the commission to resolve the lingering dispute over the party’s leadership recognition.

In a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to the INEC chairman and copied to the commission’s Legal Department, made available to journalists in Lagos, the party, through its lawyers, Lex Firma LP, expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as INEC’s continued refusal to obey a judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on March 17, 2026.

According to the legal representatives, the party had earlier written to the Commission on March 24, 2026, formally conveying the judgment and demanding compliance within 72 hours as directed by the court.

The letter stated: “Regrettably, despite the clear and unambiguous orders of the Court mandating compliance within 72 hours, more than three weeks have elapsed without any response whatsoever from the Commission.

According to the NNPP, INEC has neither taken steps to comply with the judgment nor issued any formal communication explaining its position, a development the party described as troubling and inconsistent with the rule of law.”

The party further expressed concern over what it termed INEC’s apparent recognition of individuals who have allegedly defected from the NNPP to the African Democratic Congress, including Dr Ajuji Ahmed and his associates, alongside Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“It is surprising that the Commission continues to withhold recognition from the authentic leadership of the NNPP, while appearing to recognise individuals who have openly decamped from the party and who have repeatedly failed in their claims before courts of competent jurisdiction,” the letter added.

The NNPP maintained that the judgment of a competent court remains binding on all parties until set aside by a superior court, stressing that no order of stay of execution has been granted in the matter. The party also raised concerns about INEC’s alleged refusal to engage with it, despite several correspondences, noting that no response or invitation to dialogue has been received from the Commission.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the NNPP warned that continued delay in compliance could lead to the disenfranchisement of its supporters, especially as electoral activities approach a critical stage in line with INEC’s timetable. While reaffirming confidence in the judiciary, the party stated that it remains optimistic that the courts would ultimately enforce their decisions.

While the legitimacy crises within the opposition parties wage on, a newly registered party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said it has intensified engagements with the political stakeholders of other parties to expand its membership base and strengthen internal structures, adding that it has intensified its nationwide mobilisation campaign, recording growing engagement from stakeholders, defectors, aspirants, and emerging party structures across several states, in what party leaders describe as a coordinated effort to strengthen its political base ahead of future contests.

At the centre of the latest engagements was a high-level delegation from Gombe State, led by the party’s National Vice Chairman, Dr Danlami Arabs, alongside the National Women Leader, Mrs Dudu Manuga. The delegation also accompanied gubernatorial aspirant, Dr Babayo Ardo, for strategic consultations with the national leadership. Party officials commended the Gombe chapter for what they described as steady organisational progress, while urging deeper grassroots mobilisation to consolidate its growing presence.

Similarly, in Nasarawa State, the party’s structure received a boost with the active participation of its Chairman, Hon. Dogo Shammah, a former Commissioner for Information who recently left the APC to join the NDC, alongside the State Secretary, Hon. Osokunu, a former local government chairman. The leadership expressed satisfaction with developments in the state, describing Nasarawa as “on a steady growth trajectory,” while encouraging officials to sustain mobilisation momentum.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the party also engaged a vibrant bloc of young members, joined by House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Jesse Williams Ejemot, who reaffirmed their alignment with the party’s vision. The national leadership used the opportunity to call for expanded outreach, particularly among youths and women, while strengthening collaboration with stakeholders at all levels.

Reaffirming its open-door philosophy, the NDC reiterated that its platform remains accessible to Nigerians seeking political inclusion and change, urging citizens nationwide to take advantage of its ongoing membership registration drive. The developments mirror a broader consolidation effort as the party works to position itself as an emerging political force in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.

In a related development in Imo State, the NDC formally activated its grassroots expansion drive during its inaugural State Executive Committee meeting held in Owerri. Addressing a well-attended session, State Chairman, Reginald Uwakwe, said the party—barely two months after official registration—has already commenced an aggressive digital membership registration exercise. He stated that prospective members must present either their National Identification Number (NIN) or voter’s card, in line with the party’s emphasis on credible and verifiable membership records.

He further disclosed that the national leadership has set a target of at least 300 registered members per ward, urging party structures to intensify mobilisation across communities. Uwakwe also announced the immediate creation of two key organs—the Contact and Mobilisation Committee, and the Finance Committee—to strengthen coordination and internal efficiency. (The Guardian)

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