The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Monday as a faction loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde announced the formation of an interim National Working Committee (NWC) and challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize its legitimacy.
Interim Committee Appointed
The faction convened what it called the 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, appointing former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as Chairman, and former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, as Secretary. The meeting, reportedly attended by two-thirds of NEC members, was presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, who acted as protem chairman.
Makinde Speaks on Party Crisis
Addressing party faithful, Makinde described the situation as one of the party's “darkest moments,” accusing unnamed actors of unlawfully occupying the party’s national secretariat and Legacy House. “Usurpers have taken over our offices; they are not supposed to be there,” he said, urging members not to lose hope and insisting the party could overcome its challenges.
The governor likened the current political climate to a survival contest, assuring full backing for the newly inaugurated interim leadership. He called on INEC to “redeem its image” by acting in line with the party’s constitution. Makinde maintained that the interim NWC was legally constituted, stressing that the gathering met the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds NEC quorum.
Legal Arguments and INEC Criticism
Addressing concerns about the committee’s legality, Makinde argued that no certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment nullifying the previous convention had been made public. He expressed surprise at INEC’s actions based on what he described as unverified information. “It is concerning that a national institution would act without sighting the judgment. That is not how a professionally run organisation should operate,” he added.
BoT Steps In to Prevent Vacuum
Earlier, Wabara said the BoT stepped in to assume administrative leadership to prevent a vacuum after the apex court invalidated the 2025 national convention and dissolved the NWC. He noted that the NEC meeting was convened in line with the PDP constitution, aimed at stabilizing the party and charting a new course ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wabara also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the PDP through alleged collaboration with “suspended members” and external institutions, insisting the party would overcome the crisis.
Turaki’s Pledge
In his acceptance speech, Turaki pledged that the PDP would field candidates in all elective positions in 2027, promising to work towards unity, reconciliation, and rebuilding the party’s structures. The NEC also ratified the inclusion of members from the previously nullified Ibadan convention NWC into the interim arrangement, a move likely to intensify the leadership tussle within the party.
