Anybody Contesting Under PDP is Doing Academic Exercise Since the supreme Court upheld Non  Legitimacy of Both Factions  – Professor Sagay

New Telegraph recalls that the apex court had, in April, upheld the nullification of the November, 2025 National Convention of the party, which was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The apex court also dismissed a cross-appeal filed by some ‘executives’ of a faction of the former ruling party. Also, a few days ago the Court of Appeal in Abuja was reported to have held, inter alia, that: “Once the convention itself has been pronounced null, void and of no effect by the Supreme Court, any superstructure erected upon it is necessarily without legal foundation”.

Reacting in a telephone interview with this newspaper, the erudite legal scholar submitted that the apex court’s judgement put the ambitions of aspirants seeking various elective offices on the platform of the PDP in the forthcoming 2027 polls in jeopardy. The elder statesman further alleged that by its verdict, the highest court of the land may have inadvertently created “disorder” in the polity.

Asked whether the PDP can participate in the next general elections, Sagay said: “No. My immediate response to that is no; if the Supreme Court has expressly endorsed the nonlegitimacy of both branches (factions), it means, for now, that is allegedly promoting chaos.

The Supreme Court shouldn’t do that. “Definitely, it’s important that the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, should indicate which of the factions it recognises, because that puts a final stamp on who has authority to conduct affairs on behalf of PDP. The Supreme Court has not done that with regard to any of the (factions).

“Then, that is laying ground for total confusion; for chaos. You have the branches now bringing actions, and also approving people to contest for offices. And you may have two people from the same party. That is serious confusion. “You can’t de-legitimise both branches; you must recognise one; otherwise you are killing the party. That is the effect.

“As it is now, from what you have said, if recognition has not been given to any of them by the Supreme Court, in other words, neither of them is legitimate, then it means for now, the PDP cannot even present any candidate.

“That is the effect of the judgement; they cannot present any candidate – at least for the 2027 general elections.” He continued: “And, they have to continue their legal actions, until the Supreme Court declares a faction as legitimate.

“In the absence of that, neither of them can present a candidate. “If they do, and they are allowed to contest – which is possible – then they are still going to be met with that objection by the people against whom they contest. “In other words, if they defeat somebody, that person is going to go to court to say, ‘you were not a legitimate candidate.

“So, that is the problem. I’m shocked that the Supreme Court has not recognised any of the two factions.” The learned silk highlighted that: “The Supreme Court, as the final court of appeal, is compelled by law to recognise one of them; it’s the duty of the Supreme Court; it is there to promote the legal order. Not to create disorder.

“By not recognising any of the factions, that is creating disorder in the political system. “That is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is both a legal body, and a semi-legislative body, because the effect of its decision has a legislative impact. “It can make you legitimate, and it can illegitimise you.

So, when it comes to political parties, which are registered, it is important that it should be able to say, this faction is legitimate, so that they can go on; so that that political party can exist.”