PDP Slams INEC for Rejecting Turaki-Led National Working Committee

A splinter leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the electoral umpire did not acknowledge the party’s National Working Committee, led by Kabiru Turaki.

There is no division within the PDP, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Ini Ememobong, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary.

It is argued that the PDP faction supporting Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is merely a group of pals.

It further stated that they would await a court ruling about the party’s leadership because the case was still pending in court.

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

INEC stated in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, its secretary, 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 previous court decisions and continuing legal proceedings concerning the party’s internal leadership struggle served as the foundation for its conclusion.

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

But according to Ememobong, the Turaki-led group is still the real PDP leaders.

He asserted that INEC is under pressure to reject the Turaki-led leadership, but he argued that the commission has a fundamental obligation to uphold and defend democracy.

“The Peoples Democratic Party 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 clarifying that the Federal High Court’s 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 a request for a stay of execution has been submitted in opposition to the rulings. The Court of Appeal will shortly consider the case and render a decision. While that is being awaited, it is important to note that INEC watched and took part in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention’s date and location were decided upon unanimously. 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 Ekiti and Osun primaries, and the Turaki-led NWC communicated with them. We acknowledge the tremendous pressure INEC has faced (after all, “he who pays the piper dictates the tune”), but we also remind them that their first constitutional obligation 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 meddling in the internal leadership affairs of political parties, even though INEC claims to be impartial and is awaiting the court’s decision on the matter. Since Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN controls all of the PDP’s lawful institutions and administrative structure, it is still true that there is no division inside the party. The leadership of the current National Working Committee, led by Turaki SAN, has 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 during the last month. The committee of Wike and Anyanwu’s friends cannot legitimately be referred to as a PDP group since INEC must keep in mind that democracy depends on majority rule, the statement stated.

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

Last but not least, 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 draw attention to the electoral umpire’s complete bias and hypocrisy. INEC has consistently demonstrated bias in this case, even in court, by failing or refusing to submit papers that they knew about and had in their control, 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 INEC, led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, and SAN were aware that the case was in court? aside from creating a false impression of a faction in order to defend their acts 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 party’s rebirth and renaissance moves,” the statement continued.