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The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has expressed strong disapproval of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withhold recognition for its leadership. The NWC maintains that there is no legal or factual division within the party, challenging INEC’s stance.
This disagreement stems from INEC’s refusal to acknowledge the NWC that emerged from the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November. The electoral commission cited ongoing court cases related to the disputed convention as the reason for its inaction, stating the matter remains sub judice.
In a letter dated December 22, INEC informed the PDP’s legal representatives that it could not take any administrative steps that might prejudge the outcome of current legal proceedings. The commission emphasized its commitment to obeying the rule of law and existing court orders.
The Turaki-led NWC, which is reportedly supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, emerged after a series of conflicting court rulings. While some Federal High Courts in Abuja issued restraining orders against the convention, an Oyo State High Court cleared the party to proceed.
A rival faction, led by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, subsequently announced a parallel leadership structure. The Makinde-backed PDP had formally requested INEC to recognize Turaki as the authentic national chairman and update its records accordingly.
INEC, however, indicated it would not update its records until all legal challenges to the convention were fully resolved. The commission stated that the PDP’s request was prejudiced and could not be granted until pending appeals were determined.
Reacting to INEC’s position, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that appeals have been filed against the judgments cited by INEC, with applications for stay of execution submitted. He expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would soon rule on these matters.
Ememobong further accused INEC of suppressing facts, noting that the commission had monitored and participated in meetings where the convention date and venue were agreed upon and was formally notified of the event. He pointed to recent PDP primaries in Ekiti and Osun states, which were monitored by INEC and involved official communications from the Turaki-led NWC, as evidence of inconsistency.
He argued that INEC should be guided by recent Supreme Court decisions, such as the one involving the SDP, which cautioned the commission against interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties. Ememobong asserted that various legitimate organs of the PDP, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, and state chairmen, have acknowledged the Turaki-led NWC.
“The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP, as all the legitimate organs and administrative structure of the party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN),” Ememobong declared, accusing INEC of bias and inconsistency in its dealings with the party.
