2027: Wike-Backed PDP Has No Legal Basis To Issue Nomination Forms – Lagos PDP

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that any nomination forms issued by the PDP faction backed by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, lack legal validity, citing subsisting court judgments and internal party rulings.

The Lagos PDP, led by Barr. Dr. Amos Fawole, in a statement, described the move by the Wike-backed faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Samuel Anyanwuacting as National Secretary, as legally defective and inconsistent with binding judicial pronouncements.

“This advisory is necessitated by binding judicial determinations, including: the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 9, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on January 12, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the PDP,” a statement signed by the chapter’s Publicity Secretary, Prince Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, stated.

The party said the rulings carry far-reaching implications, particularly concerning Anyanwu’s authority within the party structure.

“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: (i) Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the PDP.

“(ii) Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.”

The Lagos PDP further argued that the Abuja convention held on March 29, 2026, under the disputed leadership cannot stand in law.

“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of March 29, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.”

The statement also referenced ongoing judicial oversight, noting that the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings.

“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.

“The principle of law remains unequivocal: no valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.”

Based on this position, the Lagos PDP declared that any nomination forms issued under the authority of the disputed faction have no legal standing.

“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.”

The party warned aspirants of the potential consequences of engaging with the process, outlining risks that could arise before and after elections.

“Implications for aspirants: Non-recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); exposure to pre-election litigation leading to disqualification; post-election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.”

It urged party members and stakeholders to exercise caution and adhere strictly to lawful processes.

“The Lagos PDP strongly advises all aspirants and stakeholders to exercise due diligence and avoid engagement with processes that are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”