The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from claims regarding the convening of its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, stating that no such gathering was authorized by the party's leadership. In a statement released on Monday, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described the meeting and the reported formation of a caretaker committee by a group led by Adolphus Wabara and Kabiru Turaki as null, void, and without effect.
Party Leadership Denies Authorization
The PDP maintained that the claims were misleading and lacked constitutional backing, emphasizing that any resolutions or announcements from the said gathering should be disregarded by members and the general public. "The PDP wishes to categorically state that no such meeting was convened by the leadership of the party. Consequently, any resolution, announcement, or claim emanating from that gathering is null, void, and of no effect," the statement read.
Makinde Faction Appoints Interim NWC
Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, which convened what it called the 103rd NEC meeting in Abuja, appointed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, as Chairman, and former deputy governor of Oyo State, 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 pro tem chairman. This development comes amid ongoing disputes over the leadership of the opposition party following a recent Supreme Court judgment that nullified the previous convention that produced the Turaki-led NWC.
Makinde Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition
Addressing party faithful at the meeting, Makinde described the situation within the PDP as one of its "darkest moments," accusing unnamed actors of unlawfully occupying the party's national secretariat and Legacy House. Makinde, who answered questions from journalists after the meeting, insisted that the interim NWC was legally constituted, stressing that the gathering met the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds NEC quorum. "We are in an unusual situation democratically in Nigeria, but we will not give up. This is a battle for democracy and plurality in Nigeria's political space," he said.
Dispute Over Supreme Court Judgment
On concerns raised by rival factions questioning the committee's legality, Makinde argued that no Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment had been made public, expressing surprise at INEC's alleged actions based on what he described as unverified information. Lately, the party's leadership has been divided between Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Despite the leadership tussle and court judgments, Wike recently said there was no faction within the party.
Makinde's Vision for 2027
Makinde declared that the PDP, under the leadership of his faction, was ready to return to power in 2027. Addressing members and stakeholders during the 103rd NEC meeting of his PDP faction in Abuja on Monday, the governor said: "We should write it down. This gathering will produce House of Assembly members, House of Representatives members, senators, governors, and the next President."
