By Vincent Egunyanga
The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Monday as the Abdulraman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the emergence of a parallel interim leadership, declaring the actions unconstitutional, unlawful, and ineffective.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction dismissed the 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that produced a 13-member interim NWC led by Tanimu Turaki, insisting no valid meeting of the party’s highest decision-making organ was convened.
The disputed NEC, backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had announced Turaki as Chairman with Taofeek Arapaja as secretary, alongside members 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.
“There was no such NEC meeting,” the statement said. “Any resolution arising from that illegal gathering is null, void and of no effect.”
The Mohammed-led leadership argued that the PDP constitution makes no provision for a caretaker or interim NWC, stressing that the attempt to impose such a structure amounted to a direct violation of the party’s governing rules and due process.
It further accused the rival bloc of breaching provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, particularly the requirement to give at least 21 days’ notice before convening a NEC meeting.
“Even if, for the sake of argument, they had the authority, which they clearly do not, they failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2026,” the statement added.
“There is no evidence that INEC was duly notified or present. This alone renders their actions null and void.”
The faction also highlighted the role of former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, who presided over the disputed meeting as the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman.
It described his involvement as “deeply troubling,” alleging that he had been expelled at the ward level over anti-party activities.
According to the statement, “the attempt to cloak these actions under the authority of the Board of Trustees is misleading,” noting that the BoT is strictly an advisory body with no executive powers to convene or legitimise such decisions.
Raising the stakes, the Mohammed faction urged party members, stakeholders, and the public to disregard the meeting’s outcome and warned that disciplinary measures could follow.
“We call on all members and stakeholders to completely disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes. It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing and no binding authority whatsoever,” it said.
The faction maintained that the PDP remains under its leadership, alongside the party’s National Secretary, and insisted it is committed to upholding internal democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional order.
*Makinde bloc insists due process followed
However, the rival bloc has defended the process, insisting that due process was followed in the formation of the interim leadership.
At its parallel NEC meeting in Abuja, the group maintained that the exercise was valid and necessary to stabilise the party following recent legal uncertainties.
Presiding over the session, Wabara said the Board of Trustees stepped in to prevent a leadership vacuum.
“The Board acted to stabilise the party and prevent a vacuum,” he said, adding that “two-thirds of NEC members were present and INEC was duly notified.”
Backing the move, Makinde dismissed the Mohammed-led leadership, insisting it had lost legitimacy and could no longer occupy the party’s national secretariat.
“They have no right to be there,” the governor said.
Describing the crisis as a defining moment, he added: “This is a battle for democracy and plurality… the day is about to break.”
In his acceptance speech, Turaki pledged that the interim committee would rebuild the party and position it for electoral victory.
“We will ensure PDP fields candidates for all offices and produce a presidential candidate that will win in 2027,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but it is not impossible.”
Despite these assurances, the Mohammed-led faction’s outright rejection of the process has set the stage for a prolonged internal battle, with both sides claiming legitimacy, authority, and control over the party structure.
With accusations of constitutional violations, disputed NEC legitimacy, and competing directives to members, the PDP now faces a deepening crisis that regulators could ultimately resolve, the courts could settle, or the balance of political power within the party could determine.
