Makinde Defends PDP NEC Meeting, Says Turaki-Led Interim Committee Is Legitimate

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has defended the controversial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that it was properly constituted and that the resulting interim leadership is legitimate.

Speaking to journalists, Makinde described the situation within the party as part of a broader struggle to protect Nigeria’s democratic space, vowing that the PDP would not back down.

“We are in an unusual situation, democratically, in Nigeria today… This is a battle for democracy, for plurality in Nigeria’s democratic space. So we will not give up. We will keep pushing on,” he said.

The governor maintained that the NEC meeting met constitutional requirements, noting that it had the backing of the required quorum.

“Yes, it is [legitimate]. We had in attendance two-thirds of the NEC members. If you go to the constitution of PDP, you know who your NEC members are… and two-thirds of that membership came here. So it is legally constituted,” Makinde stated.

He also raised concerns over the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly regarding its handling of recent developments linked to party leadership issues.

“Well, have you seen the certified true copy of that judgment? Nobody has seen it… We were even surprised… that they went ahead to update the ADC leadership on their website… without even seeing the judgment,” he said.

Makinde warned that such actions could undermine institutional credibility.

“It is concerning to us because what it means is somebody can whisper a court judgment and then they will go ahead… and update that. I don’t think that is how an organisation that is being professionally run should operate,” he added.

The governor said the PDP would formally communicate its position to INEC, expressing hope that the electoral body would act in line with democratic principles.

“We will write to them, and we do hope that they will do their work and allow the democratic space to accommodate opposition,” he said.

The NEC meeting, which produced an interim leadership reportedly led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has deepened divisions within the PDP, with rival factions disputing its legality and outcomes.

However, Makinde insisted that the party remains committed to defending its internal processes and strengthening opposition politics in Nigeria.