Wike-backed PDP Faction Disowns Abuja Meeting Which Birthed Caretaker Committee

By Ayodele Oni 

The FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike backed faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has disowned a National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting in Abuja on Monday where a caretaker committee was constituted.

The Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde backed faction had announced the appointment  of a 13-member Caretaker Committee headed by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as chairman.

The decision was reached on Monday during the faction’s 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.

The motion was moved by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by the party’s ex officio member, Clement Fagboyede from Ondo state.

Reacting, the Wike faction stated that “Our attention has been drawn to claims by a group led by Senator Adolphus Wabara and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, regarding the purported convening of a 103rd NEC Meeting of the PDP and the alleged composition of a Caretaker Committee. 

“The PDP wishes to categorically state that no such meeting was convened by the leadership of the Party. 

“Consequently, any resolutions, announcements, or claims emanating from that gathering are null, void, and of no effect.”

Jungudo Haruna Mohammed  National Publicity Secretary, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, “It is both ironic and disappointing that individuals who previously argued that the Party’s Constitution does not provide for the establishment of a caretaker committee have now contradicted themselves by claiming to have constituted one. 

“This glaring inconsistency exposes the lack of credibility and coherence in their actions. This contradiction underscores the opportunistic and self-serving nature of their actions.

“Even if, for the sake of argument, they possessed the legal authority to convene such a meeting (which they do not) they have once again failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. 

“Specifically, the mandatory requirement to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a minimum of 21 days notice for such a meeting was blatantly ignored. 

“There is no evidence of compliance, nor was INEC in attendance as required by law. This alone renders their actions null and void.

“Furthermore, the involvement of Senator Wabara in this matter is equally troubling. Having been expelled at his ward level by the party for anti-party activities, following his open support for the election of Governor Alex Otti, lacks the moral and constitutional standing to assume any leadership or oversight role within the Party. 

“The attempt to cloak these actions under the authority of the Board of Trustees (BoT) is misleading, as the BoT is clearly designated as an advisory body without any executive powers.

“It is equally concerning that respected members of the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, would lend themselves to actions that fall far below the standards of professionalism and ethical conduct expected of them. 

“We urge the appropriate regulatory bodies to take note and consider necessary disciplinary measures.

“This entire episode is yet another unfortunate attempt to mislead the public and create confusion within the Party. 

“Nigerians will recall that a similar gathering recently branded as an “opposition political summit” ended in failure. Today’s purported NEC meeting is nothing more than a continuation of that charade.

“We therefore call on all Party members, stakeholders, and the general public to completely disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes. It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing, and no binding authority whatsoever.

“The PDP remains committed to upholding its Constitution, the rule of law, and democratic principles under the able leadership of Alh Abdulrahman Mohammad and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.”