Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Monday as two rival factions laid claim to the party’s leadership, unveiling conflicting schedules for the 2027 general elections and further complicating the legal standing of Nigeria’s main opposition body.
Makinde Faction Ratifies Caretaker Committee
A faction of the National Executive Committee (NEC) backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, convened the 103rd NEC meeting in Abuja to ratify a 13-member National Caretaker Committee. The committee is chaired by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), with former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, serving as Secretary.
Other members of the interim National Working Committee (NWC) include:
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Alhaji Hamza Akuyam Koshe
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Dr. Daniel Woyenikuro
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Richard Ihediwa
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Ini Ememobong
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Aribisala Adewale Idowu
Speaking after the session, Governor Makinde maintained that the meeting was legally constituted, asserting that two-thirds of NEC members were in attendance. "This is a battle for democracy and plurality in Nigeria’s democratic space," Makinde stated. "We will not give up."
The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, defended the intervention, citing a leadership vacuum following a Supreme Court ruling on April 30. That ruling nullified the November 2025 Ibadan convention on the grounds that it violated existing judicial orders. Wabara argued the BoT acted constitutionally to restore stability and rescue the party from "external interference."
Wike-Aligned Leadership Denounces "Charade"
The rival faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, swiftly rejected the meeting and the caretaker committee, describing the assembly as unauthorized and "null and void."
Jungudo Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary for the Wike-backed leadership, insisted that Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu remain the legitimate National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In a strongly worded statement, the faction questioned the legal consistency of the Makinde camp:
"It is both ironic and disappointing that individuals who previously argued that the party’s constitution does not provide for a caretaker committee have now contradicted themselves. This assembly has no constitutional basis and no binding authority."
The Wike camp further alleged that Adolphus Wabara lacked the standing to lead such a meeting, claiming he had been expelled from his ward for "anti-party activities."
Conflict Over 2027 Election Timetable
The leadership split has resulted in two separate schedules and fee structures for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the 2027 elections:
| Item | Makinde/Turaki Faction | Wike/Mohammed Faction |
| Presidential Form | N100 Million | Sales commenced April 27 |
| Governorship Form | N40 Million | Sales end May 7 |
| Senate Form | N10 Million | - |
| Form Sales Period | May 5 – May 13, 2026 | Started April 27 |
| Primary Deadline | May 30, 2026 | - |
The Turaki-led committee announced a 50% discount for youths and persons living with disabilities, while female aspirants are required to pay only for the Expression of Interest forms.
The INEC Factor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with party primaries mandated to conclude by May 30, 2026.
As both factions move to submit conflicting lists of candidates and leadership structures to the commission, the PDP faces a potential "legal cul-de-sac" that may eventually require further intervention by the Supreme Court to determine which faction holds the legitimate right to represent the party on the 2027 ballot.