Fresh concerns over internal governance within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have emerged following conflicting claims over the outcome of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, raising questions about legitimacy, compliance, and institutional order within the opposition party.
At the centre of the dispute is a faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, which announced the appointment of an interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as chairman and Toafeek Arapaja as secretary. The group says the decision followed a NEC meeting convened by what it described as two-thirds of eligible members, in line with the party’s constitution.
However, a rival bloc linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected both the meeting and its resolutions, insisting that no such NEC gathering took place. In a strongly worded disclaimer, the faction described the exercise as invalid, citing alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, including the requirement to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before such a meeting.
The leadership tussle follows a recent Supreme Court judgment that nullified the party’s previous national convention and effectively dissolved its earlier leadership structure. In response, the Board of Trustees (BoT), according to its chairman, stepped in to prevent a vacuum by facilitating the controversial NEC meeting and endorsing interim leadership to steer party affairs.
Governor Makinde, addressing journalists after the meeting, defended the process, maintaining that it was legally constituted and necessary under the circumstances. He also raised concerns about the delay in releasing the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment, suggesting that the absence of the document was creating uncertainty and complicating compliance by stakeholders, including INEC.
Meanwhile, the newly announced interim leadership has moved swiftly to outline guidelines for the 2027 general elections, including timelines for primaries and fees for nomination forms. Party officials say these steps are aimed at restoring order and demonstrating readiness for the next electoral cycle, even as internal disputes remain unresolved.
Observers say the unfolding developments highlight deeper governance challenges within the PDP, with competing interpretations of party rules and legal procedures threatening cohesion. As both factions dig in, attention is now shifting to INEC and the courts for clarity on which leadership structure, if any, will be officially recognised moving forward.
