PDP Faction Reaffirms Turaki-Led NWC, Accuses INEC of Bias Over Recognition Dispute

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), insisting that its leadership remains the only genuine and duly constituted national leadership of the party. The group has also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the commission’s refusal to recognise or update the list of national officers elected at the party’s Ibadan national convention held on November 16.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction maintained that both in law and practice, there is no faction within the PDP. It argued that the Turaki-led NWC enjoys the support of the party’s legitimate organs and key stakeholders nationwide.

Ibadan Convention and the Leadership Dispute

The dispute over the PDP’s national leadership followed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki (SAN) and other members of the NWC were elected for a four-year term. The convention had earlier received the endorsement of PDP governors, who also supervised a transition process from the former National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure officially ended on December 9.

However, a rival group aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, rejected the outcome of the convention. The group insisted that they continued to hold the positions of Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively. On December 8, a day before Damagum’s tenure ended, the Wike-aligned faction announced the formation of a 60-day caretaker committee made up of 13 members.

Since then, both groups have laid claim to the party’s leadership and sought formal recognition from INEC, setting the stage for a protracted institutional and legal confrontation.

INEC’s Position and Court Orders

INEC, in a letter dated December 22 and addressed to the legal representatives of the Turaki-led NWC, Akintayo Balogun & Co, stated that it could not recognise or update the list of PDP national officers allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention. The letter, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, cited compliance with existing court judgments and pending legal processes as the basis for its decision.

The PDP faction rejected INEC’s position, arguing that the judgments relied upon by the commission had been appealed, with applications for stay of execution already filed. According to the party, the matters are now before the Court of Appeal, and a definitive ruling is expected.

The faction further alleged that INEC had suppressed key facts in court, including its participation in the PDP’s National Executive Committee meetings where the convention’s date and venue were agreed, as well as its receipt of formal notice of the convention. It also pointed to the commission’s monitoring of party primaries in Ekiti and Osun states, which were conducted under the authority of the Turaki-led NWC.

Pdp faction Claims of Bias and Appeal for Calm

In its statement, the PDP faction accused INEC of acting with hypocrisy and consistent bias, alleging that the commission had failed to place relevant documents before the courts in order to favour individuals seeking to undermine the party. It questioned the rationale behind a recent meeting between INEC and party representatives, suggesting it was convened to create a false impression of factionalism within the PDP.

The group also referenced recent Supreme Court judgments, particularly in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) case, which it said reaffirmed that INEC has no constitutional authority to interfere in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.

Emphasising that democracy is founded on majority rule, the Turaki-led NWC argued that the group aligned with Wike and Anyanwu cannot legitimately be regarded as a faction of the PDP. It noted that the Board of Trustees, PDP Governors’ Forum, state chairmen, National Assembly caucuses, former governors, former ministers, and other key stakeholder groups have all met with and acknowledged the Turaki-led leadership.

The statement concluded with a call on party members and Nigerians to remain calm and resolute, assuring them that the PDP remains focused on internal renewal and repositioning itself for future electoral contests.