The 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has appointed Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as Chairman and Toafeek Arapaja as Secretary of an interim National Working Committee (NWC).
The committee was inaugurated immediately, alongside the release of guidelines for the 2027 general election.
Makinde urged the quick release of the Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the PDP crisis, noting concerns over actions taken without the official document.
The meeting, convened by two-thirds of NEC members at the instance of the Board of Trustees (BoT), reinstated former NWC members elected in Ibadan last year—an outcome previously nullified by the Supreme Court.
Before proceedings began, a motion was moved and adopted to appoint BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara as pro tem Chairman of the session.
The meeting was attended by prominent party figures, including:
Jerry Gana, Mu’azu Aliyu, Jonah Jang, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Other members of the interim committee include Hamza Akuyam Kishi, Daniel Woyengikuro, Richard Iheduuwa, Isa Abubakar, Theophilus Dakas Shan, Adewale Idowu, Ogbu Antonia, Umar Dan Aji, and Ini Emeombong.
They were sworn in immediately by a public notary.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki assured that the PDP would field candidates for all elective positions in 2027 and vowed to keep the party alive.
Makinde described the current situation as a struggle for democracy, stating that the party would continue pushing for political plurality in Nigeria.
He also questioned the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising concerns about updates made without access to the certified judgment.
Makinde insisted the meeting was lawful, noting that it had the required two-thirds NEC attendance. He added that INEC would be formally notified of the decisions. BoT Chairman Wabara stated that the Board assumed administrative leadership to prevent a vacuum following the Supreme Court ruling, which invalidated the previous NWC.
He emphasized that the move was in line with the PDP constitution.
Wabara criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of worsening hardship in Nigeria.
He urged PDP members to unite and reposition the party as a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
The interim committee announced guidelines and fees for the 2027 elections: Presidential Forms: ₦90 million (nomination), ₦10 million (expression of interest)Governorship: ₦35 million (nomination), ₦5 million (expression of interest)Senate: ₦7 million (nomination), ₦3 million (expression of interest)
House of Representatives: ₦5 million (nomination), ₦2 million (expression of interest) State Assembly: ₦1.5 million (nomination), ₦500,000 (expression of interest) Women are exempted from nomination fees, while youths and persons with disabilities will pay 50% of nomination fees.
Key dates include: Sale of forms: May 5–13, 2026,Submission deadline: May 14, 2026, Screening: May 15–18, 2026
Ward primaries: May 27, 2026. Special convention: May 30, 2026
The faction loyal to Nyesom Wike rejected the meeting and its outcomes.
In a statement by its spokesman, Mohammed Jungudo, the group claimed no such NEC meeting was officially held, declaring all resolutions “null and void.”
The Wike faction argued that: The meeting failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2026. INEC was not given the required 21-day notice
INEC representatives were absent. They insisted these breaches invalidated all decisions taken.
The group also questioned Wabara’s legitimacy, alleging he had been expelled at ward level and lacked the authority to preside over party affairs.
The faction described the meeting as illegitimate and urged party members and the public to disregard its outcomes, calling it a continuation of earlier failed political gatherings. If you want, I can also format this into a clean newspaper layout or turn it into a broadcast script.
