The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for formally recognising a caretaker committee linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the action as unconstitutional, reckless, and deliberately provocative.
In a statement released on Thursday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that the Turaki-led leadership would pursue every available legal option to challenge INEC’s decision, warning that the commission had overstepped its constitutional boundaries.
Earlier on Thursday, INEC officially acknowledged the Wike-backed caretaker committee by presenting its Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary, and National Organising Secretary as the PDP’s representatives at the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.
Responding to the development, Ememobong appealed to PDP members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding as the leadership tussle continues before the courts.
He described INEC’s action as vexatious and unconstitutional, stressing that the commission ought to have exercised restraint, particularly in light of pending appeals currently before the Court of Appeal.
Part of the statement read: “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.”
Before INEC’s latest move, both the PDP governors’ bloc and the Wike-aligned faction had approached the electoral body seeking formal recognition. INEC initially declined to acknowledge either camp, a stance that triggered multiple court cases as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The leadership crisis can be traced to a ruling delivered last Friday by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, and restrained Turaki (SAN) and several others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party. Prior to that judgment, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and members of the NWC for a four-year tenure.
Despite the court ruling, Wike and his allies, including Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, continue to assert their authority as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively.
With the tenure of former PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum, having expired on December 9, the Wike-aligned camp constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, granting it a 60-day mandate.
That faction has welcomed INEC’s recognition and reiterated its intention to organise a fresh national convention to elect a new National Working Committee.
What you should know
The PDP leadership crisis has intensified following INEC’s recognition of a Wike-backed caretaker committee, a move fiercely opposed by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction.
At the heart of the dispute are conflicting court rulings, rival claims to party leadership, and concerns about INEC’s role amid unresolved legal appeals.
As the 2027 elections approach, the outcome of the Court of Appeal cases will be critical in determining the legitimate leadership of Nigeria’s main opposition party and shaping its political direction.
