PDP Crisis Deepens as INEC Refuses to Recognise Turaki-Led NWC

PDP Crisis Deepens as INEC Refuses to Recognise Turaki-Led NWC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined a request to recognise the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, citing subsisting court judgements and ongoing legal proceedings.

The Turaki-led NWC enjoys the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, both influential figures within the opposition party.

Recall that in November, the PDP—supported by Makinde and Mohammed—held a national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where a new set of national officers emerged. The convention, however, was preceded by conflicting court rulings, with Federal High Courts in Abuja issuing orders halting the exercise over alleged violations of the party constitution and electoral laws, while an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan cleared the PDP to proceed and directed INEC to monitor the event.

Following the convention, a faction of the party opposed to the process, led by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), constituted a parallel NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC), deepening the leadership crisis within the PDP.

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Subsequently, the Makinde-backed PDP, through its legal representatives, formally requested INEC to recognise Kabiru Turaki as the party’s authentic national chairman.

However, in a letter dated December 22 and addressed to Akintayo Balogun & Co, counsel to the PDP, INEC said the issue remains sub judice, stressing that it cannot take any administrative action that could pre-empt the outcome of the cases currently before the courts.

The electoral umpire stated that it would not update its records to reflect any change in the PDP’s national leadership until all pending suits and appeals challenging the Ibadan convention are conclusively determined.

“In the light of the above pending suits, your request is prejudiced and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the pending appeals,” the commission said.

INEC added that, in obedience to the rule of law and existing court orders, it is unable to recognise or update the list of national officers purportedly produced at the PDP National Convention of November 15–16, 2025.

PDP Crisis Deepens as INEC Refuses to Recognise Turaki-Led NWC