Despite Supreme Court judgement, Turaki/Makinde group sets up interim PDP NWC

“We do have challenges ahead of us. Do we have the capacity to take on those challenges and rise above them? Absolutely. I do not have any doubt that we have that capacity. So please, don't be discouraged at all. The political situation that we're in right now, I can liken it to a bird that has learned to fly without perching. The hunter also will learn to shoot without missing.

“So please be encouraged. We will give all our support to the Interim National Working Committee that is about to be announced and inaugurated. And for INEC, they have the opportunity to redeem that institution.

“Because for those that are working against the continual sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, they will have their date with history. Yes, they will. So they have the opportunity to redeem their image, ensure that what we're doing in accordance with the constitution of the People's Democratic Party is to stand.

“It is unimaginable that in this day and time, INEC is supposed to be the one to tell people who are members of a certain political party, not the party saying, this is my member. Let me leave you with the word from the Holy Book, from the Holy Bible. It says, weeping may endure for a night, and the morning joy cometh. Joy is coming.”

Makinde said, “We are in an unusual situation democratically, in Nigeria today. I think what I can say right now is that we will not give up. This is a battle for democracy, for plurality in Nigeria’s democratic space. So, we will not give up. We will keep pushing on.

In an interview with newsmen after the meeting, Makinde said INEC acted hastily in updating its website and restoring the leadership of the African Democratic Congress without waiting to see the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement.

He said, “Well, have you seen the certified true copy of that judgment? Nobody has seen it. It is not out. Maybe it will be out today. We were even surprised, you know, at INEC, that they went ahead to update the ADC leadership on their website because nobody has seen the certified true copy of the judgment itself. So I do not understand how a national institution, you know, will be hasty—will go ahead and update those data without even seeing the judgment.

“It is concerning to us because what it means is somebody can whisper a court judgment and then they will go ahead on their website and update that. I don't think that is how an organization that is being professionally run should operate. Those are some of the challenges that we have that we have to keep confronting.

Asked whether their action was legal, the governor said, “Yes, it is. We had in attendance two-thirds of the NEC members. If you go to the constitution of PDP, you know who your NEC members are by that constitution, and two-thirds of that membership they came here. So it is legally constituted.

Makinde said the group will write to INEC informing them of the constitution of the Interim national Working Committee saying “we do hope that they will do their work, you know, and allow the democratic space to accommodate opposition”.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the faction, Senator Adolphus Wabara said the NEC meeting was convened by two-third of NEC members, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP, saying it is significant in the life of the party as it again underscores the resilience and capacity of the PDP to triumph over seeming impossible situations.

He told the gathering the Board of Trustees under his chairmanship “assumed administrative leadership of our party in line with the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017) following the judgment of the Supreme Court, which on Thursday, 30th April, 2026, stripped the PDP of a National Working Committee.

“The action of the BoT was to avoid a leadership vacuum as the Supreme Court’s invalidated the 2025 National Convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee as well as upheld the suspension of key conveners of the March 29th -30th contentious Convention in Abuja thereby also invalidating that exercise and nullifying its outcome.”

He applauded governors of the party, the National Assembly Caucus, Forum of State Chairmen, National Ex-officios, other leaders, critical stakeholders and loyal party members for their collective resilience in defending the PDP from the plots of the enemies of democracy to extinguish our party and prevent Nigerians from using it as a platform to reclaim their nation in 2027.

Wabara said, “Nigerians are earnestly praying for the PDP to rise again, take center stage and rescue our nation from the claws of the Tinubu-led APC administration. The APC has subjected Nigerians to the worst kind of hardship, torture and misery. Today, the hope of millions of Nigerians lies in the return of the PDP to power in 2027. This is why the APC, in collaboration with certain suspended members of our Party have been desperate to destroy our party, but like I always say, the PDP will never die.

“These individuals hatched evil plans against our party, instituted groundless damaging litigations, compromised some officials in the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies. They conducted illegal party exercises all in their failed plot to take over and frustrate our party. Despite their propaganda, lies and claims to our colours, Nigerians know that they are imposters, renegades and procured agents of the APC.

“As we set a new course today, I call on all genuine and loyal members of the PDP to set aside all personal and group interests and come together for the greater good. Nigerians have cried enough. In fact, they have no more tears left. Their oppressors, the APC do not know pity; instead, the APC relishes in inflicting pain on the people. It is therefore time to reposition our party as the platform for Nigerians to kick out the APC with their votes in 2027.

“In the last five days, the BoT has taken bold steps to stabilize, stimulate and put our party back on solid footing. Such steps include engaging in very wide consultations among critical stakeholders and leveraging on the consent of two-third members of NEC to convene this crucial 103rd NEC meeting. We have also duly notified INEC as required by law.

“This 103rd meeting is, among other things, principally convened to fashion out ways to chart a new course for our party. Central to this is the appointment of an Interim National Working Committee (INWC) to pilot the affairs of the party at this critical time. We shall be presenting a crop of tested party leaders to NEC for approval, inauguration and onward transmission to INEC. I urge INEC to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court and update its portal with the Interim National Working Committee.

“I charge those to be appointed into the Interim National Working Committee to know that the task before them is enormous.  Millions of our party members, supporters and the general public will be looking up to you for direction and we cannot afford to let them down.

“You must be ready to make sacrifices, foster genuine reconciliation and unity to rebuild our party and set it back to its winning ways. Your decisions and activities must be firm, guided by the principles of internal democracy; justice, fairness and transparency.

“We must bear in mind that the PDP is bigger than any individual or group and ensure the supremacy of the party on all issues. I assure you that you have the support of all other organs of the party as you lead our party to greater heights and path of victory.”

He commended members of the BoT for their collective commitment in ensuring that they deliver on their constitutional mandate, while also saluting the courage and resilience of all loyal party members and assure that our labour shall never be in vain, adding that “Come May 29, 2027, Nigerians will be celebrating the election of new leadership for our country on the platform of the PDP.”

However, the National Working Committee of the party backed the FCT Minister, Nyelsom Wike and affirmed by the Supreme Court judgement asked Nigerians to disregard the purported convening of a 103rd NEC Meeting of the PDP and the alleged composition of a caretaker committee.

In a disclaimer signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Haruna Jagundo, the party said, “The PDP wishes to categorically state that no such meeting was convened by the leadership of the Party. Consequently, any resolutions, announcements, or claims emanating from that gathering are null, void, and of no effect.

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“It is both ironic and disappointing that individuals who previously argued that the Party’s Constitution does not provide for the establishment of a caretaker committee have now contradicted themselves by claiming to have constituted one. This glaring inconsistency exposes the lack of credibility and coherence in their actions. This contradiction underscores the opportunistic and self-serving nature of their actions.

“Even if, for the sake of argument, they possessed the legal authority to convene such a meeting (which they do not) they have once again failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Specifically, the mandatory requirement to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a minimum of 21 days notice for such a meeting was blatantly ignored. There is no evidence of compliance, nor was INEC in attendance as required by law. This alone renders their actions null and void.

“Furthermore, the involvement of Senator Wabara in this matter is equally troubling. Having been expelled at his ward level by the party for anti-party activities, following his open  support for the election of Governor Alex Otti, lacks the moral and constitutional standing to assume any leadership or oversight role within the Party. The attempt to cloak these actions under the authority of the Board of Trustees (BoT) is misleading, as the BoT is clearly designated as an advisory body without any executive powers.

“It is equally concerning that respected members of the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, would lend themselves to actions that fall far below the standards of professionalism and ethical conduct expected of them. We urge the appropriate regulatory bodies to take note and consider necessary disciplinary measures.

“This entire episode is yet another unfortunate attempt to mislead the public and create confusion within the Party. Nigerians will recall that a similar gathering recently branded as an “opposition political summit” ended in failure. Today’s purported NEC meeting is nothing more than a continuation of that charade.

“We therefore call on all Party members, stakeholders, and the general public to completely disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes. It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing, and no binding authority whatsoever.

“The PDP remains committed to upholding its Constitution, the rule of law, and democratic principles under the able leadership of Alh Abdulrahman Mohammad and Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu.”