PDP factions clash over NEC meeting, caretaker committee, primaries

A fresh leadership crisis has deepened in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disagreed over the validity of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the appointment of a caretaker committee.

The Makinde-backed faction on Monday announced the constitution of a 13-member interim National Working Committee (NWC), headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tanimu Turaki, following what it described as a duly convened NEC meeting in Abuja.

It also released a timetable for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, fixing presidential nomination forms at ₦100m and governorship forms at ₦40m. Sales of forms are expected to run from May 5 to May 13, 2026, while primaries are scheduled between May 27 and May 30.

The faction said the NEC meeting, which produced the caretaker arrangement, was attended by two-thirds of NEC members, insisting it complied with the PDP constitution.

However, the Wike-backed faction dismissed the meeting, describing it as “unauthorised” and lacking constitutional backing.

In a statement, the faction said there was no valid NEC meeting and rejected the existence of any caretaker committee, insisting that the current party leadership remains intact under Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

It also criticised the Makinde camp for what it called contradictory positions, arguing that those who previously opposed a caretaker structure had now introduced one.

The dispute follows a Supreme Court ruling on April 30 which nullified a PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, further complicating the party’s internal leadership structure.

Despite the ruling, the Makinde-backed faction maintained that its actions were lawful and necessary to stabilise the party and prepare for the 2027 elections.

Both factions have continued to trade blame over control of the party, with each claiming legitimacy while urging supporters to disregard the opposing camp’s decisions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.

Source: Punch