Wabara-led PDP appoints Turaki interim chair

Even after the Supreme Court judgement that tried to settle the lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the two warring factions have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the party. After the judgement, which nullified the PDP’s National Convention held between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan last year, the […]

Even after the Supreme Court judgement that tried to settle the lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the two warring factions have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the party.

After the judgement, which nullified the PDP’s National Convention held between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan last year, the Board of Trustees, BoT under the leadership of Senator Adolphus Wabara said they have taken over the party.

On Sunday, the BoT met and on Monday the National Executive Committee, NEC of the party took place at the Yar’adua center where the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and members of the former National Working Committee, NWC, were inaugurated as the new Interim National Working Committee, INWC.

But in a swift reaction, the PDP leadership backed by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and who are occupying the National Headquarters of the party, Wadata Plaza, said “any resolutions, announcements, or claims emanating from that gathering are null, void, and of no effect.”

Jungudo Haruna Mohammed National Publicity Secretary of the Wike backed PDP in a statement called on Party members, stakeholders, and the general public to “disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes. It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing, and no binding authority whatsoever.”

 

We will not give up our fight for pural democracy – Makinde

Speaking at the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party in Abuja on Monday the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde  vowed that members his faction within the Peoples Democratic Party, will not give up on their battle to regain control of the party, saying that the challenges they are facing will soon be surmounted.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration of Turaki and others, Makinde said they are fighting for plurality in Nigeria’s democratic space, adding that “I think what I can say right now is 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.”

On the controversy over the Supreme Court judgement, Makinde said no one has seen the

certified true copy of that judgment, adding that when it comes out, the whole issue will be resolved.

“Well, have you seen the certified true copy of that judgment? Nobody has seen it. It is not out. We were even surprised that INEC, 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, will be hasty, 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.”

He explained that the party has followed its rules and regulations, saying that “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.”

Some members of the newly appointed leadership includes Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN as Chairman, ⁠Arapaja Taofeek as Secretary and 11 other members.

 

Wabara has been expelled from his ward – Wike faction

In a statement signed by Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the Wike backed leadership argued that in the eyes of the PDP no NEC meeting was convened by the leadership of the Party, adding that the former Senate President Adolphus Wabara was expelled from his ward for anti party.

Muhammed said, It is 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.”

The statement further said the Turaki leadership, “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,”he said.

 

Both factions set to present candidates

Meanwhile, at the weekend Senator Sandy Onor picked the Presidential nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for the Presidency under the Wike backed leadership.

Daily Trust gathered that other aspirants have also been picking forms to contest for various positions in the coming elections.

While speaking at the PDP National headquarters at the weekend, Onor said he was ready to give the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC a run for its money.

Also just after their NEC meeting on Monday, the Turaki-led faction released their own timetable and schedule of activities which includes selling of forms to contest the elections.