Abuja: The leadership crisis engulfing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated as a group supported by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State inaugurated a 13-member Interim National Working Committee (INWC). This newly formed committee is tasked with managing the party’s affairs.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the interim NWC, led by Chairman Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and Secretary Taofeek Arapaja, was officially inaugurated during the 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the faction in Abuja. The motion to establish the interim NWC was proposed by Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Forum of State Chairmen, and seconded by Clement Faboyede, Chairman of the Forum of Ex-officials.
The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Adolphus Wabara, who presided over the NEC meeting, emphasized the necessity of appointing an interim NWC for the party. Wabara highlighted that the BoT took on administrative leadership following an April 30, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that annulled the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) by invalidating previous conventions. This intervention, he explained, was crucial to prevent a leadership vacuum and align with the aspirations of Nigerians for a return to power in 2027.
Wabara urged party members to prioritize the collective interest over personal ambitions to strengthen the PDP as a viable platform for reclaiming power in the upcoming elections. He acknowledged the substantial task ahead for the interim committee and encouraged them to pursue reconciliation, unity, and adherence to democratic principles.
Governor Makinde reiterated that the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC lacked the authority to operate at the PDP National Secretariat. He affirmed the party’s resilience and capacity to overcome its current challenges, assuring his unwavering support for the interim NWC.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki expressed confidence in the interim committee’s ability to lead the PDP to electoral success, including the 2027 general elections. He urged members to remain committed and optimistic, asserting that the PDP has a track record of overcoming obstacles.
The interim NWC includes Hamza Koshe, Dr. Daniel Woyengikuro, Ihediwa Richard, Isa Abubakar, Okechukwu Daniel, Theophilus Dakas Shan, Ini Ememobong, Aribisala Idowu, Bara’u Shafi’i, Ogbu Chinenyenwa, and Umar Aji.
Governor Makinde, addressing journalists post-meeting, described the formation of the interim NWC as a significant step for democracy and diversity in Nigeria’s political landscape. He maintained that the committee was legally constituted, with two-thirds of NEC members present. The governor also mentioned plans to notify INEC of the interim committee, expressing hope for the commission’s recognition of the party’s legally constituted authority.