PDP Kicks Against INEC’s Refusal to Recognize Turaki-Led NWC

Following the electoral umpire’s failure to acknowledge the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the party, a factional leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The faction insisted that there isn’t a faction within the PDP in a statement released on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.

It is argued that the PDP section that supports Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is only a group of pals.

It further stated that they would wait for a court ruling regarding the party’s leadership since the case was still pending.

Recall that earlier on Tuesday, INEC declared it would not recognize the Peoples Democratic Party’s Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, citing ongoing court rulings and unresolved legal issues related to the party’s leadership crisis.

INEC stated in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, that it was unable to respond to requests to recognize or post on its website the list of national officers allegedly chosen at the PDP National Convention, which took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

The committee clarified that current court decisions and continuing legal proceedings concerning the party’s internal leadership struggle served as the basis for its conclusion.

INEC emphasized that while the case is still ongoing in court, it would be inappropriate to recognize any opposing party factional officers.

Ememobong countered that the Turaki-led group is still the true PDP leaders.

He asserted that INEC is under pressure to reject the Turaki-led leadership, but he argued that the commission is obligated by the constitution to uphold and defend democracy.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s leadership reaffirms that there is no split within the party, both legally and practically. This reiteration is required in light of the letter from @inecnigeria indicating that Federal High Court rulings prevented them from identifying and uploading the data of our duly chosen leadership at the convention in Ibadan.

“The aforementioned rulings have been appealed, and an application for a stay of execution has been filed against the rulings. The Court of Appeal will hear the case and render a decision shortly. While that is being awaited, it is important to note that INEC observed and took part in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention’s date and location were unanimously decided upon. INEC also received the convention’s notice, which the Commission has unethically suppressed in court on multiple occasions. Additionally, INEC kept a close eye on the primaries in Ekiti and Osun, and the Turaki-led NWC communicated with them. We acknowledge the tremendous pressure INEC has faced (after all, “whoever pays the piper dictates the tune”), but we also remind them that their first constitutional duty is to Nigerians and to defend and uphold democracy.

“We hope that INEC is minded by the Supreme Court’s rulings, particularly in the SDP case, which was the most recent delivered last week, prohibiting INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties, even though INEC claims to be neutral and is awaiting the court’s decision on the matter. Since Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN controls all of the Party’s official institutions and administrative structure, it is still true that there is no division inside the PDP. The current National Working Committee, led by Turaki SAN, has met with and been acknowledged by the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, former Governors and Ministers, and numerous other prominent stakeholder groups in the last month. The committee of Wike and Anyanwu’s pals cannot legitimately be referred to as a PDP group because democracy depends on majority rule, INEC must keep in mind, the statement said.

Ememobong further charged INEC with bias and hypocrisy, claiming that the election umpire is determined to destroy the PDP and end Nigerian democracy.

Finally, after our meeting with the Commission last week and our subsequent correspondence outlining pertinent issues pertaining to the current situation, we should normally not reply to this letter other than to highlight the hypocrisy and persistent bias that have completely tainted the electoral umpire’s actions. INEC has consistently demonstrated bias in this case, even in court, when they neglected or declined to submit papers that they knew about and had in their possession, clearly to support those who are determined to destroy the PDP and end democracy. What was the purpose of last Friday’s forced meeting if SAN and INEC, led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, were aware that the case was in court? but to fabricate a faction’s image in order to defend their deeds and inactions.

“As we reposition the party for electoral success in the upcoming elections, we therefore urge all Nigerians, especially our members, to remain calm, resolute, and continue to support the rebirth and renaissance moves of the party,” the statement continued.