PDP Crisis: Turaki Faction Faults INEC Over Recognition Of Wike’s Camp

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising a caretaker committee linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the action as unconstitutional and deliberately provocative.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the Turaki faction would pursue every available legal option to challenge INEC’s decision.

Earlier on Thursday, INEC formally acknowledged the Wike-backed caretaker committee and presented its Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary, and National Organising Secretary as the party’s representatives at the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.

Responding to the development, Ememobong called on PDP members to remain calm and patient while the leadership dispute is resolved in court.

He described INEC’s recognition of the caretaker committee as vexatious and unconstitutional, noting that the commission ought to have exercised caution in view of pending appeals before the Court of Appeal.

The statement read in part: “We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.

“This action, though capable of causing unrest, will be met with all possible legal responses. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.

“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon determine all cases concerning the leadership of our party.

“We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”

Both the PDP governors’ bloc and the Wike-aligned faction had earlier written to INEC, seeking official recognition.

The electoral commission initially declined to recognise either faction, a move that triggered multiple legal battles as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace.

The leadership crisis followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Ibadan last Friday, which nullified the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, and restrained Turaki, SAN, and others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.

Before the court judgment, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and other members of the NWC for a four-year tenure.

Despite the ruling, Wike and his allies, including Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, have continued to assert their roles as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary respectively.

Ahead of the expiration of former chairman Umar Damagum’s tenure on December 9, the Wike-aligned group set up a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8 with a 60-day mandate.

The faction has welcomed INEC’s recognition and pledged to organise a fresh national convention to elect new members of the NWC.