The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of recognising an unauthorised leadership group, warning that it will pursue legal remedies as the dispute over the party’s leadership remains before the courts.
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The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party escalated on Thursday following INEC’s recognition of a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The move triggered outrage within the camp loyal to the PDP governors, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman of the party.
On Thursday, the caretaker committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and caretaker secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were invited for the quarterly meeting of the political parties with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Mohammed occupied a front-row seat designated “PDP Chairman,” while Anyanwu sat behind him on a seat labelled “PDP National Secretary.”
After the closed-door session, Anyanwu told journalists: “Yes, we were invited yesterday as the recognised leadership of the PDP, and we are here to participate in this crucial consultative meeting between INEC and political parties to deliberate on party matters and electoral issues.
“The recent court judgment has effectively resolved the crisis that had been affecting the PDP. The party’s leadership remains intact under Abdulrahman Mohammed and me, and we are fully prepared to reposition the party ahead of future elections.”
He said the PDP would present a candidate in the 2027 election, adding that the caretaker committee was set to assume control of Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the party, on Monday.
“Last Friday, as a matter of fact, the Federal High Court made it very clear that the problem of leadership is over, because the so-called convention of November 15th, 16th, 2025, is a nullity and that no other person should parade himself or herself as a member of the National Working Committee of the PDP.
“That the only recognised body of the PDP that has the full powers to speak for the party, to work for the party, is the National Working Committee led by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed.”
Explaining why the faction had not yet taken over the party headquarters, Anyanwu said legal and security issues needed to be resolved.
He added that a recent effort by the Turaki faction to use the police to prevent their access was overturned by the courts.
“Police took over the place, and then the other group went to court to ask the police to reopen, and the matter was dismissed because they had no locus. So, by Monday, we are taking over the office,” he said.
Anyanwu assured party supporters that resolving the crisis would enable the PDP to present candidates in the forthcoming elections.
He stated: “Party members are pleased, as concerns that the PDP might not field candidates in the upcoming elections have been resolved; the party will now present candidates across all positions.”
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated this while reacting to the INEC quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, attended by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC).
The position was contained in a statement by Comrade Ini Ememobong following INEC’s invitation to political party leaders for the meeting.
“We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today (Thursday).
“We are also aware that INEC extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response.”
“Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, but it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal.
“This includes the judgment which they are relying upon, which, when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom.
“We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party,” Ememobong said.
He urged all PDP members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest, the Court of Appeal would hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of the party.
“We assure that the rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure.
“It will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians,” he said.
On Friday, a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan and directed Turaki (SAN) and several others who emerged at the convention to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
Before the judgment, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention that elected Turaki and the members of the NWC for a four-year term.
Although the governors facilitated a transition from former chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9, the Wike-aligned camp established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed, Anyanwu, and others with a 60-day mandate.
Both the governors’ bloc and the Wike-aligned faction then approached INEC seeking official recognition, but the commission refused to acknowledge either side initially, leading to multiple legal disputes.
In response to Friday’s court ruling, the Turaki-led PDP NWC, through Ememobong, stated that its legal team had been instructed to file an immediate appeal and pursue all available legal remedies.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction welcomed the judgment barring Turaki and others from acting as the party’s NWC, and pledged to organise a fresh convention to elect new members.
Anyanwu, speaking on behalf of the bloc, stated that the court’s ruling had effectively brought an end to the PDP’s internal crisis.
The governors aligned with the Turaki-led National Working Committee have, however, begun considering legal action, following the recognition of the Wike-backed caretaker committee by INEC.
The faction criticised INEC for recognising the Wike-backed caretaker committee, calling the move unconstitutional and provocative.
Ememobong called on party members to stay peaceful and patient while awaiting the resolution of the ongoing court cases concerning the party’s leadership crisis.
The PDP now effectively has two factions claiming legitimacy:
- Turaki Faction: Backed by PDP governors, elected at November 15-16, 2025 Ibadan convention, claims legitimacy from party constitution and internal processes, has filed appeal against Ibadan court ruling
- Wike-Backed Caretaker Committee: Led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, established December 8 with 60-day mandate, backed by Federal High Court Ibadan ruling, recognized by INEC at Thursday’s quarterly meeting, plans to take over Wadata Plaza on Monday
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