The Liberators

Speech by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Protem Chairman of the National Executive Committee (NEC), His Excellency, Sen. Adolphus Wabara Ph.D at the 103rd Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, Today, Monday 4th May, 2026

Protocol

The 103rd National Executive Committee meeting convened today by two-third of NEC members, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP, is significant in the life of our party as it again underscores the resilience and capacity of the PDP to triumph over seeming impossible situations.

As you are already aware, the Board of Trustees under my chairmanship assumed administrative leadership of our party in line with the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017) following the judgment of the Supreme Court, which on Thursday, 30th April, 2026, stripped the PDP of a National Working Committee.

The action of the BoT was to avoid a leadership vacuum as the Supreme Court’s invalidated the 2025 National Convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee as well as upheld the suspension of key conveners of the March 29th -30th contentious Convention in Abuja thereby also invalidating that exercise and nullifying its outcome.

Let me commence by thanking leaders and members of the party for the confidence reposed on the BoT under my leadership to steer the ship of the party at this defining moment.

Let me again on behalf of party members, thank and commend His Excellency, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN and members of his NWC and the staff of the PDP national secretariat for their uncommon display of loyalty, fighting spirit and selfless service to our party.

May I also thank our governors, the National Assembly Caucus, Forum of State Chairmen, National Ex-officios, other leaders, critical stakeholders and loyal party members for our collective resilience in defending the PDP from the plots of the enemies of democracy to extinguish our party and prevent Nigerians from using it as a platform to reclaim their nation in 2027.

As I address you today, Nigerians are earnestly praying for the PDP to rise again, take center stage and rescue our nation from the claws of the Tinubu-led APC administration. The APC has subjected Nigerians to the worst kind of hardship, torture and misery. Today, the hope of millions of Nigerians lies in the return of the PDP to power in 2027. This is why the APC, in collaboration with certain suspended members of our Party have been desperate to destroy our party, but like I always say, the PDP will never die.

These individuals hatched evil plans against our party, instituted groundless damaging litigations, compromised some officials in the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies. They conducted illegal party exercises all in their failed plot to take over and frustrate our party. Despite their propaganda, lies and claims to our colours, Nigerians know that they are imposters, renegades and procured agents of the APC.

As we set a new course today, I call on all genuine and loyal members of the PDP to set aside all personal and group interests and come together for the greater good.

Nigerians have cried enough. In fact, they have no more tears left. Their oppressors, the APC do not know pity; instead, the APC relishes in inflicting pain on the people. It is therefore time to reposition our party as the platform for Nigerians to kick out the APC with their votes in 2027.

In the last five days, the BoT has taken bold steps to stabilize, stimulate and put our party back on solid footing. Such steps include engaging in very wide consultations among critical stakeholders and leveraging on the consent of two-third members of NEC to convene this crucial 103rd NEC meeting. We have also duly notified INEC as required by law.

This 103rd meeting is, among other things, principally convened to fashion out ways to chart a new course for our party. Central to this is the appointment of an Interim National Working Committee (INWC) to pilot the affairs of the party at this critical time. We shall be presenting a crop of tested party leaders to NEC for approval, inauguration and onward transmission to INEC. I urge INEC to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court and update its portal with the Interim National Working Committee.

I charge those to be appointed into the Interim National Working Committee to know that the task before them is enormous. Millions of our party members, supporters and the general public will be looking up to you for direction and we cannot afford to let them down.

You must be ready to make sacrifices, foster genuine reconciliation and unity to rebuild our party and set it back to its winning ways. Your decisions and activities must be firm, guided by the principles of internal democracy; justice, fairness and transparency. We must bear in mind that the PDP is bigger than any individual or group and ensure the supremacy of the party on all issues. I assure you that you have the support of all other organs of the party as you lead our party to greater heights and path of victory.

May I at this point thank all members of the BoT for our collective commitment in ensuring that we delivered on this constitutional mandate. I salute the courage and resilience of all loyal party members and assure that our labour shall never be in vain. Come May 29, 2027, Nigerians will be celebrating the election of new leadership for our country on the platform of the PDP.

Thank you and God bless you.

Yesterday, we witnessed the thrilling finale of my FA 5-Aside Football Competition, a proud moment for youth development and grassroots sports across Ibadan North. ⚽🔥
I am delighted to see Golden FC emerge champions after a hard-fought penalty shootout against Inuolaji FC, with Emirate FC finishing third.

This tournament, hosted by the Yemetu Youth Forum, was peaceful, competitive, and full of energy—exactly the kind of engagement we will continue to promote for our youths. I remain committed to supporting initiatives that keep our young people focused, united, and positively engaged.

Congratulations to all participating teams and thank you to everyone who made this a success.

Hon Folajinmi Oyekunle Don MHR
Ibadan North federal constituency

Seyi Makinde Keeps Oyo Out of Nigeria’s Most Indebted States as Lagos, Rivers Top Debt Chart — DMO

Oyo State did not feature among the 12 states with the highest domestic debt stock as of September 2025, according to new data released by the Debt Management Office, reflecting Governor Seyi Makinde’s position that the state will avoid excessive borrowing.

The latest DMO figures published by Statisense show Lagos State leading the chart with ₦1.05 trillion, representing 26.1% of the total domestic debt held by the 12 listed states. Rivers followed with ₦381.21 billion (9.5%), while Delta recorded ₦247.17 billion (6.2%).

Enugu (₦194.72bn, 4.9%), Ogun (₦168.09bn, 4.2%), Bauchi (₦158.20bn, 4.0%), Niger (₦143.50bn, 3.6%), Cross River (₦141.94bn, 3.5%), Benue (₦107.25bn, 2.7%), Akwa Ibom (₦95.51bn, 2.4%), Imo (₦90.51bn, 2.3%), and Taraba (₦89.74bn, 2.2%) completed the top 12 list.

States With Highest Domestic Debt September 2025 (DMO)
Rank State Debt Stock % Share
1 Lagos ₦1.05T 26.1%
2 Rivers ₦381.21B 9.5%
3 Delta ₦247.17B 6.2%
4 Enugu ₦194.72B 4.9%
5 Ogun ₦168.09B 4.2%
6 Bauchi ₦158.20B 4.0%
7 Niger ₦143.50B 3.6%
8 Cross River ₦141.94B 3.5%
9 Benue ₦107.25B 2.7%
10 Akwa Ibom ₦95.51B 2.4%
11 Imo ₦90.51B 2.3%
12 Taraba ₦89.74B 2.2%
The absence of Oyo State from the ranking aligns with Governor Makinde’s repeated pledge to run a fiscally disciplined administration and prioritize internally generated revenue, private sector partnerships, and project-specific financing over accumulating unsustainable debt.

Analysts note that keeping debt levels moderate gives the state more fiscal headroom for capital projects, social investment, and timely payment of obligations, especially as states contend with inflationary pressures and FAAC allocation volatility.

The DMO data groups the 12 states by geopolitical zones: South West (SW) Lagos, Ogun; South South (SS) Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom; South East (SE) Enugu, Imo; North Central (NC) Niger, Benue; North East (NE) Bauchi, Taraba.

While domestic debt is not inherently negative, experts warn that high debt service costs can crowd out spending on health, education, and infrastructure if not matched with revenue growth.

Oyo State’s exclusion from the top debtors’ list comes as the Makinde administration continues to push its economic expansion agenda, including agribusiness, solid minerals development, and infrastructure renewal under the Alternative Project Funding Approach.