The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday dismissed the inauguration of a Peoples Democratic Party caretaker committee by supporters of Kabiru Turaki, describing the move as fraudulent and misleading.

Wike warned Nigerians against what he termed an attempt to create confusion within the party, insisting that there is only one authentic Peoples Democratic Party with its national secretariat at Wadata House, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Speaking on the development, the former Rivers State governor maintained that the caretaker committee set up by Turaki and his loyalists was an effort to deceive the public, stressing that there was no leadership vacuum in the party.

He said, “You have refused to tell the public what is on ground, and you are coming out to say ‘we are setting up a caretaker committee’, how? And you are deceiving people that you want to sell form.

“I dare them, let me see an office you will name PDP national secretariat. If you say you are a party, go and put a sign ‘PDP national secretariat’ just as we are occupying Wadata, that is where everybody knows as PDP national secretariat.

“If you are saying that you want to sell form, to whom? You will submit it where? Is that not fraud? You went to court, we didn’t go to court, and the court gave judgment against you.

“You have not set aside that judgment and you are now coming to deceive people by setting up a caretaker committee and begin to sell forms. Is that not fraud? What is 419?”

Wike further stated that the recent PDP convention held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, and witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, remained the only legitimate convention of the party, which produced the current National Working Committee.

Turaki bloc insists on interim leadership
Meanwhile, the crisis took a new turn on Monday as the Board of Trustees of the PDP, led by Adolphus Wabara, appointed a 13-member interim National Working Committee for the party.

Wabara said the decision was in line with the party’s constitution, arguing that a recent Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the nullification of the Ibadan convention, created a leadership vacuum within the PDP.

The interim committee is headed by Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties.

The decision followed a National Executive Committee meeting convened by the Turaki-led bloc at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Notable stakeholders present at the meeting included the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde; former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; ex-Minister of Information, Jerry Gana; Wabara; Turaki; and former Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, among others.

The group also declared that the Abuja convention which produced the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee of the PDP was null and void.

The latest development signals a deepening leadership crisis within the main opposition party, raising concerns over its internal cohesion ahead of future political contests.

The people of Ido-Osi Local Government Area and Isokan Local Council Development Area in Ekiti State have concluded arrangements to receive Governor Biodun Oyebanji during his campaign visit scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the Governor’s campaign visit, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre.

According to the statement, the visit is expected to be peaceful and colourful, while also serving as an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the governor and residents of the two councils.

Ojo-Lanre described Oyebanji as a leader whose administration had continued to demonstrate humility, sincerity and commitment to the development of the state.

He said the governor’s visit was beyond politics, noting that it represented continuity, trust and people-centred governance.

He said, “Ido-Osi and Isokan are ready. Our people are prepared to receive a governor who has governed with calmness, compassion, intelligence and visible results.

“This is a call to all sons and daughters of Ido-Osi and Isokan to come out in their numbers and appreciate a leader who has kept faith with the people of Ekiti.”

The committee urged party members, community leaders, youths, women groups, artisans, market leaders, transport unions and other residents to turn out in large numbers for the event.

It added that necessary arrangements had been made for community mobilisation and proper documentation of the visit.

The committee also appealed to residents and party supporters to maintain peace, orderliness and discipline before, during and after the event.

According to the statement, the visit would provide another opportunity for the people to reaffirm their support for continuity, stability and consolidation of good governance in the state.

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has adopted Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in a move aimed at strengthening unity ahead of the poll.

The decision was ratified at a high-level leadership summit held in Ibadan, where top party stakeholders from across the state gathered to deliberate on the party’s future and electoral strategy.

Speaking at the meeting, former Senator Ayo Adeseun said the summit was convened primarily to affirm Alli’s candidacy and secure broad support among leaders of the party.

He explained that the decision followed wide consultations and was further reinforced by the position of President Bola Tinubu.

According to Adeseun, he had earlier met with the President in Abuja, where Tinubu reportedly gave reasons for backing Alli as the APC flagbearer in Oyo State.

He said, “Mr President remains the leader of our party, and his opinion on who flies the party’s flag must be accorded due consideration.”

Adeseun added that Alli had already declared his intention to contest the governorship seat before the endorsement by party leaders.

Also speaking, a Director of the South West Development Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, reaffirmed the position of the party leadership, saying the endorsement reflected the collective interest of the APC in the state.

Ibikunle disclosed that he also held consultations with Tinubu, who, according to him, endorsed Alli as the preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

He urged other aspirants within the party to align with the consensus arrangement in the interest of unity, warning that internal divisions could weaken the APC’s chances at the poll.

According to him, party cohesion would be crucial to presenting a formidable challenge in the next governorship contest.

The summit attracted party leaders, stakeholders and representatives from the three senatorial districts of the state, underscoring the significance of the endorsement.

In his remarks, Alli thanked party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide inclusive and people-oriented leadership if elected.