The commission updated its official website to reflect the development, listing the leadership structure for the opposition party with a bold inscription that reads “By Court Order” in front of the names of members of the executive except the National Secretary.

Shehu Musa Gabam was named national chairman, while Dr. Olu Agunloye was listed as National Secretary.

Other NWC members of the party as published on INEC’s website included National Treasurer, Hajia Maggie Mariam; National Financial Secretary, and National Legal Adviser, Barrister Aderemi Abimbola.

Recall that about four weeks ago, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, affirmed Shehu Gabam as the authentic national chairman of the party.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on March 27, 2026, a three-member panel of justices ruled on an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026, filed by an aggrieved party member, Fayemi Tosin Babatunde.

According to the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgment, the appellant had challenged the validity of the Ekiti State governorship primary, arguing that the party leadership that conducted the exercise lacked legitimacy and the legal authority to constitute an electoral committee.

The appellant specifically faulted the National Working Committee led by Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Dr. Olu Agunloye, describing it as illegally constituted and in violation of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

He had also sought an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising candidates produced by the disputed leadership.

The case was initially dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 19, 2026, with Justice Emeka Nwite affirming Dr. Gombe as the party’s authentic chairman and upholding the legality of the party’s processes.

However, on appeal, the appellate court partially overturned the lower court’s decision, holding that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the SDP leadership tussle.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, alongside Justices Abba Bello Mohammed and Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, ruled that any findings made without jurisdiction were null and void.

“The appeal succeeds in part,” the court held, affirming only that the appellant was not an aspirant in the disputed primary.

The court subsequently set aside the Federal High Court’s pronouncement recognising Dr. Gombe as the authentic leader of the party, as well as its validation of the November 8, 2025 primary election.

Despite nullifying those aspects, the appellate court relied on INEC’s monitoring report (Exhibit INEC 3), which confirmed that the primary election was conducted with valid delegates and produced a clear winner, Engr. Bankole David Oludele.

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The adjustment was confirmed to journalists in Abuja on Thursday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the party’s 186th NWC meeting.

He said the presidential primary earlier fixed for May 15 had been rescheduled to Saturday, May 23, alongside other revised election dates.

Meseko confirmed that Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for all elective positions remained open to all aspiring party members across the country.

He explained that the changes were necessary to ensure full compliance with the amended Constitution, the 2026 Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines.

“This is the newest timetable reflecting updated legal and procedural requirements,” Meseko said.

He added that the revised schedule had been formally communicated to INEC in accordance with established electoral regulations.

According to the timetable, sales of nomination forms will begin on Saturday, April 25, and end on Saturday, May 2.

Meseko stated that the deadline for submission of completed nomination forms had been fixed for Monday, May 4.

He said screening of all aspirants, from House of Assembly to presidential level, would hold between May 6 and May 9.

Presidential screening is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, while results for all categories will be published on Monday, May 11.

According to him, primaries will follow a staggered sequence covering legislative, senatorial, governorship and presidential elections across different scheduled dates.

Meseko dismissed reports suggesting restriction of nomination forms, insisting the process remained fully open to all qualified APC aspirants nationwide.

“I am here to inform all party faithful that nomination forms are open to all aspirants seeking elective offices,” he said.

On primaries, he said the NWC adopted both direct and consensus options as permitted under the Electoral Act, depending on circumstances.

He stressed that consensus arrangements must reflect agreement among aspirants and key stakeholders before any adoption by party structures.

“Where consensus fails or is rejected by any aspirant, the party automatically reverts to direct primary elections,” he explained.

He added that state chapters were empowered to decide the appropriate mode of primary elections for their respective states.

In Zamfara, he said internal party congresses had been scheduled, beginning with ward, local government and state-level exercises from April 28.

“Ward congresses will hold on April 30, while state congresses and appeal processes are expected to conclude by May 3,” he said.

Meseko assured party members that the updated national membership register, including new entrants, had been duly transmitted to INEC.

According to him, APC is fully prepared for its 2027 primary elections following completion of all administrative and regulatory steps.

Source: NAN

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The PDP high-powered delegation, led by Turaki, arrived at Mark’s residence at Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, at about 4.50 p.m. on Wednesday.

A source close to the party disclosed that the visit was part of moves by PDP to form alliance with ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Already at the meeting are Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; former Minister of Information and founding father of PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana; former Niger Governor, Babangida Aliyu and other members of the PDP National Working Committee, NWC.

Also in attendance are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Former Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers and a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami are equally at the meeting.

The leaders of the two parties are expected to brief newsmen after the meeting.

Source: NAN

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Mohammed and other new members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were elected through consensus votes to lead the party for the next four years.

Members of the new NWC, as announced by the chairman of the Convention Electoral Committee, Prof. Sandy Onor, are Aaron Chukwuemeka, Deputy National Chairman (South) and Yusufu Akirikwen, SAN, Deputy National Chairman (North).

Samuel Anyanwu also emerged as the National Secretary; Kolawole Olabisi, Deputy National Secretary; Diran Odeyemi, National Treasurer and Lado Mark, Deputy National Treasurer.

Also, Eyim Henry is now the National Financial Secretary, Dr. Grema Kyari, Deputy National Financial Secretary; Umar Bature, National Organising Secretary and Efere Augustine, Deputy National Organising Secretary.

Other members of the new NWC are Jungudo Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary; Egwu Chidiebere, Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, National Legal Adviser and Aloysius Uba, Deputy National Legal Adviser.

While Osuoha Donatus was elected National Auditor, Dr Adaba Yatu emerged as Deputy National Auditor, Prof. Ogunshe Adedayo as National Woman Leader and Hauwa Shinge as Deputy National Woman Leader.

Also, Ibrahim Aboki emerged as the National Youth Leader, with Momoh Bashir holding the position of Deputy National Youth Leader.

The new NWC members were immediately sworn-in.

In his acceptance speech, the new national chairman, Mohammed, pledged not to disappoint the party.

He also promised that the new NWC would work with the party leadership to promote unity and reposition PDP for electoral victory in 2027.

Source: NAN

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Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Turaki said that the visit was to introduce the new party leadership to Jonathan following their election at the National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

Turaki described the former president’s response as “reassuring and very encouraging,” noting that Jonathan expressed a deep sense of obligation to the party.

“We have solicited, as usual, for his support, for his guidance, for his advice, as always.

“We have his assurance that he’s still a card-carrying member of the PDP; he’s still active, and will even be more active these days in the activities and affairs of the PDP.

“He has assured us that PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels that he remains obligated to PDP.

“His remarks and statements are not only reassuring, but indeed they are very encouraging as we begin to prepare for elections; off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year and 2027 general elections,” Turaki said.

Turaki maintained that in spite of current internal crisis, the PDP remained the “most veritable platform” for winning elections in Nigeria.

“We still remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of PDP is taking this party back to the people, who are the owners.

“In doing so there’s going to be level playing ground that’s going to be inclusivity. There will be no longer impunity and we are not going to allow people to take what does not belong to them,” he said.

Responding to questions regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, exclusion of the party’s candidate for the Ekiti election, Turaki insisted the party had fulfilled all statutory obligations.

He explained that while INEC monitored the primaries and provided portal passwords for data uploads, the commission later blocked the party’s access.

“We had done manual submission to INEC, which they collected. INEC, as a regulator, has the discretion to attend or refuse, but they honoured our notices, monitored our primaries, and wrote reports.

“As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership,” Turaki said.

On the lingering crisis within the party and the potential for “political solutions” rather than protracted litigation, Turaki said that the PDP was open to reconciliation.

He said while he believed in reconciliation, it was not the party that took matters to the court, but they were in the court to defend the party.

“I am one of the advocates who believe that it is not every political disagreement you take to court. But we were the ones sued. We have an obligation to defend the party.

“Even after these matters are resolved by the courts, we will still come back. We are willing to carry along those who are loyal and show genuine remorse,” he said.

Turaki added that the leadership was ready to sit at a “roundtable” with all aggrieved members to move forward as “one big PDP family”.

Those at the meeting include former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, and chairman of PDP South-South Caretaker Committee, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi.

Others are the National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary, Richard Ihediwa.

The Turaki-led NWC had also met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders across the country.

Source: NAN

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The timetable was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the timetable, the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms will commence on September 3 and end on September 22 while the last day for return of completed forms is September 26.

The party also fixed the screening of all aspirants for September 30, publication of cleared aspirants on October 3 and screening appeals for October 6.

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The statement said that Publication of names of final aspirants will be on October 10.

The national convention will take place on November 15 and November 16, while handing over is expected to take place between December 1 and December 8.

Source: NAN

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Justice James Omotosho stated this in a judgment he delivered on a suit filed by Wike, prior to the 2023 general elections, to seek for a court order to stop PDP from taking action against him without fair hearing.

The ex-governor had sued the PDP, its National Working Committee, NWC, and National Executive Committee, NEC, as 1st to 3rd respondents.

Wike, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023 dated and field February 2 by his lawyer, Joshua Musa, SAN, also joined the National Chairman of PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu; National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

He had prayed for an order directing all parties to maintain the status quo and stay all actions in the matter relating to the threat to suspend or expel him by the 1st to 5th respondents pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.

He asked the court to enforce his fundamental right to freedom of association which was allegedly about to be breached by the respondents.

But the PDP, through its lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, disagreed with Wike’s submission.

He argued that the case was only based on speculation as Wike had failed to provide any evidence to substantiate that the respondents intended to suspend or expel him from the party.

He said the party had not contemplated suspending or expelling members of the G5 Governors or the Integrity Group, despite engaging in anti-party activities.

He said Wike and four other governors engaged in anti-party activities by forming the Integrity Group and campaigning for another presidential candidate in the February 25 election.

The senior lawyer argued that a member, who voluntarily joined an association, must abide by its rules.

Usman, who argued that the ex-governor must have exhausted the internal mechanism of the party first, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, which, he said, was only within the realm of conjecture.

He further argued that it was not enough for Wike to institute the suit on fundamental rights enforcement grounds.

Justice Omotosho had, on February 2, given an interim order against the party and others listed in the face of Wike’s ex-parte motion.

The judge, who extended the restraining order on February 14, held that all parties should maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit

Delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho said the court had considered the processes filed by parties and arguments of counsel.

He held that suspending or expelling the applicant without affording him the right to defend himself would breach his fundamental rights as enshrined in the party’s and Nigeria’s constitutions.

He said though the party had the right to suspend or expel its members, that must be done in compliance with its own law.

The judge said that though Section 46(1) of the law vested jurisdiction on the court if one’s rights had been breached, he said the court would not dabble into the internal affairs of any political party, except where the right of a member had been violated by the party without recourse to its own laws.

According to him, fundamental human rights were rights enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria and were sacrosanct.

“Where this right ought to be enforced, the court will do everything within its reach to ensure this.

“However, as fundamental and sacrosanct these rights are, they are not absolute,” he said.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, agreed that any member of a political party who appeared before a disciplinary committee, should be given the opportunity to defend himself.

“And if not, any decision taken shall be null and void,” he said.

He said, “This court is convinced that the applicant is entitled to a fair hearing and that the respondent also has the rights to discipline its members in accordance with the law.”

The judge further said that Wike had the right to associate and that the threat to dismiss him without inviting him to defend himself contravened Article 57 (1)(2) of the party.

He said that the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and his agents, were bound to promote constitutional democracy.

Source: NAN

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The party also appointed acting executive members according to a statement signed by Ms Ladi Iliya, National Deputy Chairperson and Mr Kenedy Ahanotu Deputy National Secretary.

They stated that the decision was taken at a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party held in Asaba and attended by members of the National Working Committee.

Also in attendance at the Asaba meeting were states chairmen and secretaries of the party and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

The Asaba meeting was also attended by the party’s National Assembly members-elect, officials of INEC, those of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, the statement reads.

It added that the NEC reaffirmed and upheld the decision of the Akure convention which expelled its former publicity secretary Mr Arabambi Abayomi.

“NEC considered the disciplinary committee’s report which recommended the suspension of the former Youth Leader, Mr Anslem Eragbe and recommended him for expulsion at the next national convention.

“Pending the next convention, NEC suspends Eragbe indefinitely.

“NEC also suspended the following National Working Committee (NWC) members: Lamidi Apapa; Alhaji Salem Lawal; Favour Reuben; Gbenga Daramola; Samuel Akingbade and Mohammed Akali,’’ the statement also reads.

It added that the NEC constituted a disciplinary committee comprising the National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, and Acting National Legal Adviser, Mr Edun Kehinde, as members.

It listed other members as the Acting Deputy National Secretary, Mr Rotimi Kehinde, and the National Vice Chairman South-South, Mr. Anthony Ezeagwu.

The NEC also critically evaluated the 2023 general elections and noted INEC’s failure to transmit election results real-time from polling units, which it said gave room for massive manipulation of results.

The statement condemned electoral violence and the use of security agencies to intimidate voters and perpetuate other crimes in parts of the country.

“NEC noted the resilience, and doggedness of our presidential candidate and its resolve to legitimately reclaim its mandate in court.

“NEC accordingly calls on the judiciary to do the right thing irrespective of whose ox is gored,’’ the statement also reads.

It stressed its implicit confidence in Mr Julius Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC.

Source: NAN

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Addressing journalists on Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja its national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, said that the decision was taken by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party after the general review of the presidential election.

While urging aggrieved political parties to approach the court of law to seek redress as law abiding citizens rather than over-heating the system, he said, “the INEC as an institution vested with power has declared a winner (presidential election); we in SDP, despite the shortfalls such as  BVAS problem, transmission problem and others, we stand by the declaration pending the outcome of the court judgement.”

Gabam who was flanked by members of the NWC of the party, however, hinted that the party would be challenging the results of some senatorial and federal constituencies of the National Assembly  as announced by INEC after the ongoing collation of the necessary facts on the conduct of the polls.

According to him, “We need to keep Nigeria one. God has not created any perfection anywhere. Therefore we are standing by INEC. On this ground we are standing by what INEC has done but we are going to challenge the results of some senatorial and federal constituencies of the National Assembly after we must collated our facts.”

He however commended INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu for conducting the elections despite the overwhelming challenges posed by both technology and human factors.

According to him, “We commend the INEC under the leadership of distinguish Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for the successful conduct of Saturday elections in the face of all odds. The election has been won and lost. Going forward, therefore, and what is right in the true interest of our country is for all grievances to be expressed through the appropriate channels and very responsibly. Our party believes in the nation’s justice system as capable of addressing the various concerns expressed, and for it to always do justice.”

While speaking on the need to ensure peace, he said “We also note that democratic consolidation for national unity and sustainable growth and development is imperative of the times. As such, the SDP calls on the political class and the general public to eschew violence in their actions and pronouncements, and to, in practical terms and manifest, work for peace and social order in the larger interest of our country.”

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Tinubu also reiterated his promise to run a fair and inclusive administration that would unite all Nigerians.

The President-elect spoke on Thursday in Abuja when he received members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were on a congratulatory visit to his residence in Abuja.

“It is going to be a fair government guided by the rule of law, justice and fairness. It is going to be hard work from day one and we are going to join hands in building a government of the people and by the people,” he said.

Drawing attention to the rigours of the campaign, Tinubu said he ran a tough campaign anchored on issues right from his bid for the APC’s ticket.

“We drew a strong commitment with Nigerians. From the primary we were transparent. We were committed to our ideals. We promised Nigerians that if we win we will work for all Nigerians.”

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The President-elect also restated his commitment to unite the country promising to be president for all.

“I am committed to uniting the country. Definitely in any contest, particularly democratic contest, there must be losers and winners.”

Tinubu said he felt a fresh weight of responsibility after collecting his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday, promising to commit his victory to uniting Nigeria.

He thanked the party leadership for showing commitment and courage in leading the party to victory despite all the odds.

In his earlier remarks, the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi, said though transition elections were always tough for ruling parties, the victory of the APC was long foreseen.

He said the APC NWC came to identify with Asiwaju Tinubu and congratulate him on his victory.

During the visit Adamu directed other members of the NWC to offer special prayers of gratitude to God for the party’s success which he described as hard fought.

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