Wike PDP bloc rejects Makinde interim NWC, primaries schedule

The factional National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday ratified the appointment of a 13-member caretaker committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as chairman.

Other members of the interim NWC include Alhaji Hamza Akuyam Koshe, Dr Daniel Woyenikuro, Richard Ihediwa, Isa Abubakar, Okechekwu Obiechina Daniel, Theophilus Dakas Shan, Ini Ememobong, Aribisala Adewale Idowu, Bara’u Shafi, Mrs Anthonia Chinenyenwa, Umar Dan Aji, with former deputy governor of Oyo State, Amb Taofeek Arapaja, serving as secretary.

The decision was reached at the Makinde-backed 103rd NEC meeting in Abuja, following a motion moved by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and duly seconded by Clement Fagboyede.

Makinde, while speaking with journalists after the meeting, declared that his camp would not relent in its struggle.

Reacting, however, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed PDP rejected the NEC meeting, describing it as unauthorised.

It also dismissed claims of an interim NWC as baseless and without legal standing.

On April 30, the Supreme Court, in a narrow 3–2 ruling, nullified the Makinde-backed PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, which had produced the Turaki-led leadership.

The court ruled that the convention violated existing orders restraining the party from proceeding until specific conditions were fulfilled, criticising the PDP for acting in disregard of explicit judicial directives.

Responding to the judgment, the Makinde camp Board of Trustees chairman, Adolphus Wabara, stated that following the Supreme Court’s position on the suspension of the Wike-backed PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and others, the party currently lacked a recognised leadership.

He explained that the BoT had intervened, in accordance with the party’s constitution, to foster reconciliation and restore stability within the PDP.

Wabara also directed all PDP staff to return to work and revealed that the BoT would obtain the necessary two-thirds majority to convene a NEC meeting on Monday, during which a caretaker committee would be set up.

However, the Wike-backed PDP Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum, insisting that Abdulrahman Mohammed and Anyanwu remain in control of the party as national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The PUNCH had reported on Monday that the Makinde camp would formally unveil Turaki as the head of the caretaker committee on Monday.

Shortly after the 103rd NEC meeting, the Makinde-backed faction also held its 104th NWC meeting, where it fixed the cost of the 2027 expression of interest and nomination forms at N100m for the presidential ticket and N40m for the governorship.

Turaki (SAN)-led caretaker committee, in a schedule of activities signed by Ememobong, also announced that the party’s NEC would ratify all nominated candidates on May 30, following the conclusion of its primary processes.

Sales of expression of interest and nomination forms will run from May 5 to May 13, 2026, while the deadline for submission is May 14.

Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 15 to May 18, with appeals set for May 21.

The list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 22.

Ward primaries are slated for May 27, followed by appeals on May 28.

The NEC will meet on May 29 to approve nominated candidates, while a special convention for ratification is fixed for May 30.

The party also approved the cost of forms for the Senate, N10m, House of Representatives, N7m, and state Houses of Assembly at N2m.

The faction announced that female aspirants will only pay for expression of interest forms, while youths and persons living with disabilities will receive a 50 per cent discount on nomination forms.

The Wike-backed Mohammed-led NWC of the PDP commenced the sale of its nomination forms on April 27, with the exercise expected to end on May 7.

INEC has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The commission also disclosed that party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will take place between April 23, 2026, and May 30, 2026.

INEC further stated that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026.

Speaking with journalists after the NEC meeting, Makinde maintained that the interim NWC was lawfully constituted, noting that the meeting was convened by two-thirds of the committee members.

He stated, “We are in an unusual situation, democratically, in Nigeria today. I think what I can say right now is we will not give up. This is a battle, you know, for democracy, for plurality in Nigeria’s democratic space. So we will not give up. We will keep pushing on.

“This interim NWC is legally constituted. Yes, it is. 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 came here. So it is legally constituted.”

On his message to INEC, Makinde stated, “We will write to them, and we do hope that they will do their work, you know, and allow the democratic space to accommodate opposition.”

Earlier, Wabara said the 103rd NEC meeting was lawfully convened in line with the PDP Constitution.

The factional BoT chairman stated, “As I address you today, Nigerians are earnestly praying for the PDP to rise again, take centre stage, and rescue our nation from the claws of the Tinubu-led APC administration.

“The APC has subjected Nigerians to the worst kind of hardship, torture, and misery.

“Today, the hope of millions of Nigerians lies in the return of the PDP to power in 2027.

“This is why the APC, in collaboration with certain suspended members of our party, has been desperate to destroy our party, but like I always say, the PDP will never die.”

Wabara urged all sincere and loyal PDP members to put aside personal and factional interests and unite for the collective good of the party.

He continued, “Nigerians have cried enough. In fact, they have no more tears left. Their oppressors, the APC, do not know pity; instead, the APC relishes inflicting pain on the people.

“It is, therefore, time to reposition our party as the platform for Nigerians to kick out the APC with their votes in 2027.

“In the last five days, the BoT has taken bold steps to stabilise, stimulate, and put our party back on a solid footing.