Alleged Supreme Court CTC: PDP dismisses claims of leadership vacuum

By Tolu Temidire

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the circulation of a purported Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Supreme Court judgment concerning internal party disputes, insisting that the document in circulation was not officially released by the apex court and does not meet standard certification requirements.

In a press statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP said a review of the document shows it was neither properly stamped, signed, nor certified by authorized court officials as required by law.

However, the party added that even if the document were assumed to be genuine, its contents, according to the PDP, further confirm the legal setbacks suffered by Kabiru Turaki and others from the Federal High Court through to the Supreme Court.

The PDP also rejected interpretations suggesting that the Supreme Court suspended Senator Samuel Anyanwu or any party leader, or that it directed the Board of Trustees to take over the party.

It maintained that no such pronouncements were made by the court and challenged critics to point to any section of the judgment supporting such claims.
According to the party, what has been circulated publicly represents a misrepresentation of the court’s decision, with only selective reliance on portions of the ruling. It argued that the binding decision remains the majority judgment of the Supreme Court.

The statement further clarified that Senator Samuel Anyanwu did not file a cross-appeal on issues relating to suspension or expulsion, noting that the cross-appeal in question was limited to the legal representation of the party and not internal disciplinary matters.

Reacting further to political interpretations of the ruling, the PDP questioned the conduct of some political figures, including Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, suggesting their political alignments indicate a different understanding of the situation than what has been publicly claimed by some factions.

The party urged the media and public commentators to exercise caution in reporting judicial matters, warning against what it described as sensational and misleading interpretations that could undermine public confidence and political stability.

It further maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to recognize Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu in the party’s leadership structure, and assured members that the PDP remains united and prepared for the 2027 general elections without legal hindrances.