PDP crisis: Turaki NWC labels Wike-backed caretaker committee illegal

The National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki.

Kindly share this story:

The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the formation of a caretaker committee by the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the move as a blatant act of illegality that undermines party rules.

In a statement on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said that by announcing a National Caretaker Committee, Wike’s faction showed clear contempt for the court and altered the status of the suit’s plaintiffs.

PDP governors had backed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki (SAN) and other NWC members were elected on November 16 for a four-year term.

Despite this, Wike and his allies, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, continued to claim they were Acting National Chairman and National Secretary.

Although the governors ensured a smooth handover from former Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki (SAN) before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9, the Wike-backed faction on Sunday went ahead to appoint Mohammed, Anyanwu, and others to a 60-day caretaker committee.

In response, the Turaki-led NWC stated that Wike and his allies do not have the authority to take such actions, even as party members.

The statement read:

“The purported constitution of a so-called National Caretaker Committee by Nyesom Wike and his friends, clearly designed to coordinate their personal political affairs, would have passed unnoticed, just like the drab audience of their sympathy party, if they had not attempted to falsely cloak it in the name of the Peoples Democratic Party—a party that had duly expelled them, with certificates as evidence.

“The activity they claim to have undertaken is one they clearly lack the authority to carry out, even if they were still members of the party. For the avoidance of doubt, all organs of our party, particularly the National Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, remain intact and under the legitimate leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN. These organs are led by dignified individuals, who cannot be procured or commodified in the manner that has become the signature modus operandi of this group of former members.

“It is important to remind the public that Minister Wike, acting through his agents Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Sam Anyanwu, filed a suit on 21st November 2025 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Honourable Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, seeking, among other things, the nullification and non-recognition of the PDP Convention and its outcomes.

“Their application for an interim injunction was refused, while all parties were cautioned against taking actions that could render the court’s eventual judgment nugatory. By proceeding to announce a fictitious National Caretaker Committee, they have acted in clear contempt of the court and have fundamentally altered the status of the two plaintiffs in that suit.”

The Turaki-led NWC said the recent action by the Wike-backed faction represents nothing more than a continued deepening of illegal practices.

It added: “This latest drama represents nothing but a further deepening of the trenches of illegality they have been digging since 2023 in their bid to politically incapacitate the PDP and obstruct its role as the main opposition party in Nigeria. Their absurdity has now graduated into a full-fledged tool in the ruling party’s playbook, weaponised by this Wike-led band of APC apologists.

“The public is already familiar with the comical spectacle that this group has become, with each new action overshadowing the last in sheer ridiculousness.

“We reassure our members and the nation that the PDP remains firmly on a path of rebirth, anchored on transparency, equity, honesty, and inclusiveness.”

Abdulrahman has nearly ten years of experience reporting on political parties, elections, religion, civil society organizations, the Nigeria Governors Forum, and more

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.