Wike Camp Shuns Gov Makinde-Led PDP Meeting

According to Ireporter Online, the factional National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday approved the establishment of a 13-member caretaker committee headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tanimu Turaki, during its 103rd NEC meeting held in Abuja.

The resolution was reached after a motion was presented by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by Clement Fagboyede. The newly constituted interim National Working Committee includes Alhaji Hamza Akuyam Koshe, Dr Daniel Woyenikuro, Richard Ihediwa, Isa Abubakar, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Theophilus Dakas Shan, Ini Ememobong, Aribisala Adewale Idowu, Bara’u Shafi, Mrs Anthonia Chinenyenwa, and Umar Dan Aji, while former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, was named Secretary.

Speaking after the meeting, Makinde maintained that his group would remain resolute, describing the situation as a fight for democratic balance and political plurality in Nigeria. He insisted that the interim NWC was constitutionally valid, noting that the meeting met the required two-thirds quorum of NEC members as stipulated in the PDP constitution. He also stated that the faction would formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged the commission to uphold democratic principles and ensure space for opposition participation.

However, the faction of the PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissed the meeting and its resolutions, describing them as unauthorised and without legal foundation. The group’s spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, maintained that no legitimate NEC meeting was convened by the party leadership under Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, adding that any decisions arising from the gathering were “null, void, and of no effect.”

He further criticised the move to set up a caretaker committee, accusing the Makinde-led group of inconsistency and contradicting earlier positions on the party constitution, which they had previously cited as not providing for such an arrangement.