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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims of internal division, insisting there is no faction within the party and that all legitimate organs of the party remain under the control of its National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said its clarification followed a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which cited court judgments as the reason for its inability to recognise and upload the records of the leaders elected at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan.

The PDP explained that the court decisions referred to by INEC have already been appealed, with applications for a stay of execution filed, and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would soon deliver judgment on the matters.

According to the statement, INEC monitored the National Executive Committee meetings that fixed the convention date and venue and also received formal notice of the convention — facts the party claims the Commission “suppressed” in court. The party further noted that INEC monitored its primary elections in Ekiti and Osun States, all communicated through the Turaki-led NWC.

While acknowledging the “pressure” on the Commission, the PDP reminded INEC that its constitutional duty is to Nigerians and to the protection of democracy. It urged the Commission to be guided by recent Supreme Court pronouncements, including the judgment in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) case, which warned INEC against interfering in internal party leadership matters.

The party stressed that majority organs — including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, state chairmen, as well as caucuses of the Senate and House of Representatives — have all recognised the Turaki-led leadership. It dismissed groups loyal to Nyesom Wike and Samuel Anyanwu as merely a “committee of friends” and not a legitimate faction.

Accusing INEC of “consistent bias,” the PDP alleged that the electoral body failed to present documents in court that would have clarified the status of its leadership, claiming this omission was calculated to aid those seeking to destabilize the party.

“If INEC knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting of Friday last week,” the party queried, alleging an attempt to create the impression of division within the party.

The PDP urged its members nationwide to remain calm and continue supporting what it described as efforts to reposition the party ahead of future elections.

Full text of the PDP Press Release

THERE IS NO FACTION IN THE PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party reiterates that in law and fact, there is no faction in the Peoples Democratic Party. This reiteration is necessary in the light of the INEC letter explaining their inability to recognise and upload the data of our legitimately elected leadership at the convention in Ibadan due to judgements of the Federal High Court.

The said judgements have been appealed and an application for the stay of execution filed against the judgements, and very soon the Court of Appeal will hear and give judgement in the matters. While that is being awaited, it is needful to state that INEC monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed and was also in receipt of the notice of the convention- a fact the Commission has unconscionably suppressed in court in several cases. Furthermore, the primaries in Ekiti and Osun were duly monitored by INEC, with communication emanating from the Turaki-led NWC. While we appreciate the monumental pressure that INEC has come under (after all he who pays the piper dictates the tune), we remind them that their constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and in the defence and protection of democracy.

While INEC claims to be neutral and is awaiting the Judgement of the court on the matter, we hope that they are minded by the judgements of the Supreme Court, especially in the SDP case, being the latest delivered last week, barring INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties. The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP as all the legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the Party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN. In the past one month the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, former Governors and Ministers and many other notable stakeholder groups have all met with and acknowledged the leadership of the current National Working Committee, led by Turaki SAN. INEC must remember that democracy is hinged on majority rule, so the committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu cannot be validly referred to as a faction of the PDP.

Finally, having held a meeting with the Commission last week, and our correspondence, thereafter, further explaining relevant issues relating to the current situation, we should ordinarily not respond to this letter, except to point out the hypocrisy and consistent bias that has completely coloured the action of the electoral umpire. INEC has continuously shown bias in this matter, even in the court, where they failed or refused to file documents that were in their possession and within their knowledge, obviously to aid those who are bent on killing the PDP and truncating democracy. If INEC under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting of Friday last week? Except to paint a false perception of faction to justify their actions and inactions.

We therefore urge all Nigerians, particularly, our members to remain calm, resolute and continue to support the rebirth and renaissance moves of the party, as we reposition the party for electoral success in the coming elections.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr
National Publicity Secretary
23122025