Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that the Supreme Court nullified the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) convention held in Abuja on March 29–30, 2026. In a direct rebuttal to reports circulating online, Olayinka insisted the apex court did not address the legality of the convention, calling the claims “a lie.” He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s judgment focused solely on appeals related to the suspension of certain PDP leaders, not on the convention itself.
Reports had suggested that a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court’s ruling confirmed the illegality of the Abuja convention and upheld the suspension of key figures aligned with Wike’s faction, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade. These reports claimed the court had effectively sided with the opposing faction in the ongoing leadership battle within the PDP. However, Olayinka refuted this, stating that the issue of the convention was never raised in either the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court.
During an interview with Arise TV on Saturday night, Olayinka explained that courts only rule on matters presented before them. “The Supreme Court is not a father Christmas,” he said, stressing that the court cannot address issues not brought to its attention. He pointed out that the legal proceedings were confined to the appeal process, and the Supreme Court merely affirmed decisions made by the Appeal Court. According to him, if the name of Senator Anyanwu was not mentioned in the Appeal Court’s judgment, it could not have been included in the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Olayinka further clarified that the Supreme Court’s decision was limited to the specific legal challenges filed, which did not include any contention over the March 29 convention. He questioned how the names of suspended leaders could suddenly appear in the apex court’s judgment if they were not part of the original appeal. “What you did not take to court, the court will not begin to talk about it,” he reiterated, reinforcing his position that the convention’s validity was never under judicial review.
The PDP leadership crisis has been a major political story in Nigeria, with factions vying for control over party structures and nominations ahead of upcoming elections. Olayinka’s comments come amid heightened tension within the party, as various groups seek to legitimize their positions through legal and political channels. His statement aims to clarify the court’s actual findings and prevent misinformation from deepening divisions within the party.
As the PDP continues to navigate internal disputes, the clarification from Olayinka may influence how the party’s members and the public interpret the Supreme Court’s role in the leadership tussle. The outcome of these legal and political battles could shape the party’s direction in the lead-up to future elections.
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