ABUJA – The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the AbdulRahman Mohammad-led National Working Committee (NWC) declared the newly constituted interim caretaker committee backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as “illegal, null, and void.”

The caretaker committee, which is headed by former Minister of Power Tanimu Turaki with Taofeek Arapaja as secretary, was formed during a meeting convened by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja on Monday. The new group also announced May 30, 2026, as the date for a special convention and fixed costs for nomination forms.

However, in a swift counter-offensive, the Mohammad-led NWC—backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike—described the action as an act of political contradiction. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jagundo, the NWC noted that the individuals involved previously opposed the creation of caretaker committees.

“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,” the statement read.

The NWC further argued that the Abuja gathering failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2026, pointing out that the mandatory 21 days’ notice was not given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party leadership also criticized the role of BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, noting that he had been suspended from his ward over alleged anti-party activities.

Speaking on behalf of the caretaker committee, Turaki assured supporters that the PDP would remain on the ballot for the 2027 general elections and off-season elections, vowing to present a candidate capable of securing victory.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has urged party members not to be discouraged by the ongoing leadership turbulence, which followed the April 30 Supreme Court judgment that voided the party’s previous NWC. Makinde criticized INEC for its swift update of leadership records, calling on the electoral body to maintain neutrality and respect internal party dynamics.