The defections of Rep. Abdulmuni Jibrin to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oluremi Oguntoyinbo to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been attributed by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to Rabiu Kwankwaso’s anti-party actions and betrayal of trust.

According to reports, Jibrin, a former director-general of President Bola Tinubu’s Support Groups, declared his support for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027 and announced his return to the APC on Monday.

Additionally, Oguntoyinbo, a former NNPP candidate for Ogun governor, formally resigned from the party on Monday and joined the PDP.

Ogini Olaposi, the National Secretary of the NNPP, stated in a statement on Tuesday that Kwankwaso and his followers caused an avoidable leadership crisis that led to the wave of defections plaguing the party.

“The NNPP faced a series of litigations and still faces a leadership crisis after Kwankwaso and his movement attempted to seize control of the party’s structures and leadership,” the statement stated. In Kano, a large number of our crucial members defected to the APC.

“We claim to practice democracy, but no responsible politician would want to be in a political party where an individual views himself as the beginning and end of decision-making.”

Unfortunately, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP’s founder and chairman of the board of trustees, trusted Kwankwaso and his supporters, and they betrayed that confidence.

“Our party has been plagued by the avoidable betrayal of trust by our founder, who gave Kwankwaso the party’s presidential ticket at no cost.”

“We are not shocked by the alliances in the run-up to the 2027 general elections because many members are relocating to areas where they will be relevant and running in elections free from political tradership and abuse of power.

Olaposi added that the party welcomes members from other parties to join its ranks and has no problem with members defecting.

“Every Nigerian has the right to select the party they want to be a part of,” he emphasized. Due to our internal leadership issue, the defectors joined a different party voluntarily rather than under pressure.

“As a political party, we believe in honesty and integrity; politics is not a do-or-die situation. We are not desperate.

“Nigerian political parties have beliefs… Since a person’s identity is greatly influenced by their allegiance to a certain philosophy, members of the NNPP are free to quit if they no longer share it, and those who do are free to stay or join.

Olaposi stated that the party continues to hope that the NNPP leadership situation would be quickly resolved by INEC’s new leadership, allowing it to actively participate in the 2027 elections and beyond.

“We hope that INEC should not wait for a compelling court order to obey valid court judgments,” he continued.

“We will reclaim control of our party; we urge all of our members and prospective members to remain composed and law-abiding.”

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, the factional head of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), has referred to his group as the PDP’s true leaders.

He claims that after the group headed by Senator Adolphus Wabara took sides in a controversy that rocked the party, his faction emerged victorious.

In an interview with Arise News on Monday, Ohuabunwa denied allegations that his factional BoT was formed outside of legal frameworks or was illegitimate.

In actuality, there are currently two National Working Committees operating concurrently.

We had to take action when one group suspended the other because the BoT, which is meant to be the party’s conscience, took sides and became complicit.

“Members who share this aim founded our BoT in accordance with the constitution. Others will join once they realize that we are acting morally, even though it may not involve everyone yet, he stated.

Ohuabunwa went on to say that his group stepped in to rectify the PDP’s leadership shortcomings and bring back unity, order, and constitutional discipline.

“We have come to restore the party and make amends.

We have been violating our own constitution over time, and the BoT remained silent. Factionalization wouldn’t have been necessary if we had stepped in sooner.

“The PDP’s conscience and compass are the BoT. In order to restore harmony to the party, we are now acting in that capacity and reaching out to everyone.

According to reports, he maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the PDP group led by Umar Damagum is merely a misunderstanding.

“Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu had already signed a letter to INEC regarding several congresses and primaries. Therefore, INEC’s recognition is not brand-new. “That letter was written before this faction came into being,” he stated.

Ohuabunwa admitted that he is in charge of a PDP section, but he maintained that they are on course to fix the party’s mistakes.

We are the party’s conscience, even if we are a faction.

“Our goal is to rebuild the PDP and transform it into the disciplined, democratic organization that its constitution intended,” he stated.

Hon. Nkemakolam Ukandu, the National Welfare Officer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, requesting a stay of proceedings in the ongoing suit challenging the party’s leadership, filed by former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachukwu.

Ukandu, acting as the appellant and applicant in the case, filed the motion via his lawyer, Kalu Kalu Agu, under Order 6 Rule 1 and Order 25 Rule 2 and 3 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021. The motion seeks to halt proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1331/2025 — Hon. Dumebi Kachukwu & 4 Ords v. the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 4 Ords — currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, pending the determination of his substantive appeal.

Ukandu emphasized that proceeding with the suit without staying it would undermine his civil rights, as the case could be determined in his absence. The motion stressed that “it is settled in law that a court has no jurisdiction to determine a suit in the absence of necessary parties,” adding that it would be a grave injustice to allow the lower court proceedings to continue without affording him the opportunity to be heard.

The application, filed on November 7, is supported by a 12-paragraph affidavit deposed by Ukandu himself. He is listed as the sixth defendant in the suit initiated by Kachukwu before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court.

Ukandu had previously requested the transfer of the case to another court, citing concerns over potential bias. In a letter dated October 31, he stated that there was a “manifest bias or grave likelihood of bias leading to breach of fair hearing” by Justice Omotosho.

He noted that he was joined in the suit on October 3, but only received the amended originating process on October 22 — a day before the scheduled hearing. Ukandu alleged that the presiding judge, suo moto, abridged the statutory 30-day period allowed for him to file a defense to just seven days, including weekends, making it impossible for his counsel to respond adequately.

Ukandu argued that the suit is not time-sensitive and that the abridgement effectively denied him his constitutional right to fair hearing. His motion urges the Court of Appeal to intervene and ensure that the matter is not adjudicated without his full participation, underscoring the importance of due process in the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering the expulsion of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party amid ongoing internal crises.

According to top party sources, there is a growing consensus among key officials that drastic action is necessary if reconciliation efforts fail. One source, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) is making a final attempt at reconciliation. “If the BoT’s effort fails, expulsion may be inevitable. The FCT Minister has consistently shown that it is either his way or no way. Many governors and party leaders have tried to reason with him, but he has refused,” the source said.

The official added that Wike’s actions, including openly campaigning for an APC presidential candidate in 2027, cannot be overlooked by the PDP. “You cannot be a PDP leader and openly campaign for an APC president in 2027 and expect nothing to happen. Only time will tell,” he warned.

Another senior party leader indicated that the Damagum-led NWC was building consensus around Wike’s expulsion, describing it as the last resort after repeated failed peace efforts since the 2023 fallout.

Wike-Faction Petitions NJC

Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Wike has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court. Imo State PDP chairman, Hon Austin Nwachukwu, disclosed that the petition challenges an ex parte order permitting the PDP to hold its November 15–16 national convention, which came shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the party to halt the exercise.

The petitioners alleged that Justice Akintola’s order contradicted a valid judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on October 31, warning that the judge’s actions undermined judicial hierarchy and risked eroding public confidence in the judiciary. The petition called on the NJC to investigate the matter and ensure accountability for judicial misconduct.

Court Reaffirms Convention

Despite the petition, Justice Akintola on Monday reaffirmed his order allowing the PDP to proceed with its national convention, instructing the party to adhere to approved guidelines and schedules. The judge adjourned the matter to Wednesday for hearing of all pending applications.

Folahan Adelabi, the claimant in the suit, is seeking an order restraining the Damagum-led NWC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other agents from obstructing the convention.

Wike Camp Can’t Stop Convention

Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri affirmed that the Wike-backed faction will not prevent the convention. He emphasized that the Damagum-led NWC remains the authentic leadership of the party under the PDP constitution and that all members must comply with court rulings.

Tsauri predicted that following the convention, which will elect new NWC members, there would be a wave of defections back to the PDP, dismissing the BoT’s intervention as “child’s play.” He added, “Those who boast that nobody can touch them have now seen that even top party officers can be suspended for anti-party activities. The court has recognised no one except Damagum.”

The PDP convention, set for November 15–16 in Ibadan, thus proceeds amid heightened internal tensions, with Wike’s fate hanging in the balance.