The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing renewed tension as the national working committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over a recent meeting with the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
On Thursday, INEC convened a meeting in Abuja with chairpersons of political parties, including Abdulrahman Mohammed, who heads the caretaker committee set up by the Wike-led faction of the PDP. The meeting, which was intended to discuss party matters and electoral preparations, drew sharp reactions from the Turaki faction, who viewed the engagement as a breach of neutrality by the electoral body.
Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Turaki-led PDP, described Mohammed’s attendance as “vexatious,” stressing that INEC, as the nation’s electoral umpire, is expected to remain neutral and avoid actions that could appear to favour one side in internal party disputes.
Ememobong noted that ongoing appeals are before the Court of Appeal seeking recognition of Kabiru Turaki as the legitimate national chairman of the party. “This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response,” the PDP statement read.
He also reminded party members that INEC has no constitutional power to impose leaders on any political party and called for calm as the legal process unfolds.
The PDP has been polarised into two factions for several months, a situation that escalated after a national convention held on November 15, 2025, in Oyo State. The Turaki-led NWC organised the convention with support from Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, and Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State. The event was meant to unify the party but instead deepened the leadership crisis.
Prior to the convention, conflicting court rulings complicated the process. Federal high courts in Abuja had issued injunctions halting the convention, citing alleged breaches of party constitution and electoral laws. However, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan cleared the PDP to proceed and instructed INEC to monitor the exercise.
At the convention, Wike and his supporters were expelled from the party. The Wike group later established parallel structures, including a caretaker committee, a board of trustees (BoT), and a national executive committee (NEC). This move created two competing leadership bodies, with each faction claiming legitimacy.
The leadership crisis escalated in December 2025 when the Turaki-led faction requested INEC to recognise it as the authentic leadership of the PDP. INEC, however, declined, citing multiple court judgements that questioned the legality of the Turaki NWC.
The legal tension continued when a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the Turaki-led convention, stating that the NWC had acted in flagrant disregard of existing court orders. Presiding Judge Uche Agomoh held that the PDP cannot defy court directives and then seek approval retroactively. The judge further ruled that the party should operate through the caretaker committee until a lawful convention could be conducted.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), criticised the verdict, arguing that the court granted reliefs that were neither requested nor argued by any party. He insisted that the convention remains “legally intact” and announced that the Turaki-led faction has filed a notice of appeal and a motion for stay of execution of the judgement.
The recent INEC meeting with the Wike faction has brought the electoral body under intense scrutiny. Turaki supporters accuse the commission of partiality, arguing that engaging with one faction without consulting the other could worsen tensions and potentially trigger conflicts among party members.
The Turaki faction insists that INEC must maintain a neutral stance, particularly as court cases continue to determine the lawful leadership of the party. They also emphasise that recognition by the electoral commission cannot replace or override ongoing judicial processes.
“INEC is expected to act as an unbiased umpire, not as a party agent,” Ememobong said. “It should exercise restraint and await the outcome of the legal process before taking any action that may favour one side.”
The Wike faction, backed by influential party figures, argues that their leadership structures are necessary to stabilise the party after months of infighting. Abdulrahman Mohammed, head of the caretaker committee, has continued to operate in that capacity, seeking recognition from INEC and engagement with national party bodies.
The faction also claims that its structures comply with party constitution requirements and that INEC’s recognition is vital to ensure orderly party operations, especially ahead of elections and internal party preparations.
The ongoing leadership feud has affected PDP’s image as a major opposition party in Nigeria. Analysts warn that prolonged internal disputes could weaken the party’s ability to present a unified front during elections, potentially benefiting ruling parties at both federal and state levels.
The crisis also raises broader questions about the role of INEC in intra-party disputes, particularly when courts are actively adjudicating leadership issues. Political commentators note that neutrality and adherence to judicial processes are critical for maintaining peace within parties and avoiding unnecessary political tension.
The Turaki-led faction has urged all party members to remain calm and respect the rule of law. Ememobong emphasised that any attempt to escalate the conflict outside legal channels could result in widespread disorder.
“Members should not take the law into their own hands,” he said. “We are committed to resolving this dispute through the courts, which remain the final authority on party leadership matters.”
As the PDP awaits rulings from the Court of Appeal, the party remains divided between the Turaki and Wike factions. Both sides continue to assert legitimacy and seek recognition from INEC, highlighting the delicate balance between judicial authority, electoral oversight, and party autonomy in Nigeria’s political system.