PDP dismisses Makinde/Turaki’s interim NWC
The AbdulRahman Mohammad – led National Working Committee(NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as ‘’illegal,’’ the composition of an Interim Caretaker Committee for the party by a
The AbdulRahman Mohammad - led National Working Committee(NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as ‘’illegal,’’ the composition of an Interim Caretaker Committee for the party by a group backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The NWC said that it was ‘’ironic and disappointing that individuals who previously argued that the party’s constitution does not provide for the establishment of a caretaker committee,’’ resolved to constitute one.
The party, therefore, advised its members and supporters to disregard the Interim committee, which has Tanimu Turaki as its chairman and Taofeek Arapaja as secretary.
Turaki and Arapaja were appointed during a meeting convened by the party Board of Trustees(BOT) in Abuja yesterday.
Also named by the group as interim committee members are Hamza Kosher, Daniel Woyengokuro , Ihediea Nnabugwu, Isa Abubakar, Okekechukwu Daniel, Theophilus Shan Comrade Ememobong, Aribisala Idowu, Bara’u Shafi’I, Ogbu Chinenyenwa and Nd Umar Aji. They were all members of the NWC elected in Ibadan, Oyo State, but sacked on April 30 by the Supreme Court.
At the parley attended also by the BOT Chairman Adolphus Wabara and many founding fathers of the PDP, the group also announced May 30, 2026, for a special convention of the party and the costs of its Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
However, the Mohammad- led NWC, backed by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, said the resolutions at the Abuja gathering are null, void and of no effect.’’
In a disclaimer by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed 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.
“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.’’
It also argued that the involvement of Wabara ‘’in this matter is equally troubling’’ because he had been expelled at his ward level by the party for anti-party activities.
The party added: “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 Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammad and Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu”.
*PDP will be on ballot for all elections’
While accepting the task of leading the interim committee, Turaki admitted the serious task ahead and promised that it would be surmounted.
His words: “I recall … we were elected in a transparent, free and fair national convention that was conducted in the historic city of Ibadan.
“ We had set out to do whatever we could to ensure that the confidence reposed in us during that convention was not misplaced. But beyond that, we fought to make sure that the image then, being created that PDP members were going to Ibadan to bury their party, has proved to be incorrect.
“From a party that was struggling to stand on its feet, we fought hard to make sure that PDP remained afloat. We fought hard to make sure that PDP remained irrepressible.
“I agree with most of our leaders who have made remarks in this extraordinary meeting that we have a serious task ahead of us.
‘’We will make sure that PDP works again. We will not only be on the ballot, but we will come up with a presidential candidate who will not only contest the 2027 elections, but will win them for us and win them for Nigeria
‘’We will win the off-season elections that are coming our way very soon and indeed, other 2027 various elections.’’
BOT Chairman Wabara explained that the meeting was convened pursuant to the provisions of the PDP constitution.
He told the gathering that the board “assumed administrative leadership of our party in line with the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017), following the April 30 Supreme Court judgment that ’stripped’ the party of an NWC.
His words: “The action of the BoT was to avoid a leadership vacuum as the Supreme Court invalidated the 2025 National Convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led NWC 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.”
Wabara said, “Nigerians are earnestly praying for the PDP to rise again, take centre stage and rescue our nation from the claws of the APC administration.’’
The APC, according to him, has ‘’subjected Nigerians to the worst kind of hardship, torture and misery.’’
He assured that the ‘’PDP will never die.’’
*Makinde faults INEC’s swift response to S/Court verdict on ADC leadership
Earlier, Makinde thanked the founding fathers of the party and enjoined supporters not to be discouraged.
He said:“I saw on social media that somebody went to collect the form supposedly to run as the presidential candidate of this party. But they’re wearing Asiwaju’s cap, how do we reconcile that?
“But let me place it on record that when the day is about to break, that is usually the darkest moment. Yes, we as a party are going through our darkest moment right now, because the day is about to break for a new order in our country.
“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 will also learn to shoot without missing.
‘’We will give all our support to the Interim NWC.
Makinde faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for hastily updating its website and recognising the Senator David Mark- led leadership of the African Democratic Congress when the certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment was not ready.
He said: ‘’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.” The governor said the electoral umpire still had the opportunity to redeem itself.
“Because for those who 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 PDP is to stand.’’
Other chieftains of the PDP at the meeting were Prof. Jerry Gana, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang; former Women Affairs Minister Inna Ciroma; former PDP Women Leader Zainab Maina; and former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Onyilola.
