2027: Turaki camp fumes as INEC rejects PDP excos
INEC Rejects Turaki-Led PDP NWC, Cites Court Judgments and Pending Appeals
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally rejected the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes surrounding the party’s leadership crisis.
The decision has further deepened the internal crisis within the opposition party, as rival factions continue to battle for official recognition by the electoral umpire.
Turaki-Led NWC Insists on Legitimacy
Reacting to INEC’s stance, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led NWC, Ini Ememobong, maintained that the party leadership remains legitimate and insisted that there is no faction within the PDP.
He argued that the judgments referenced by INEC had already been appealed, with applications for stay of execution filed, stressing that the Court of Appeal would soon deliver its rulings on the matter.
Wike-Aligned Faction Hails INEC Decision
On the other hand, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Nyesom Wike-backed faction, welcomed INEC’s decision, describing it as a faithful adherence to existing court judgments.
PDP governors had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were elected on November 16 for four-year terms. However, Wike and his allies, including Mohammed Abdulrahman and Anyanwu, insist they still occupy the positions of Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary respectively.
While the governors facilitated a handover from former chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure officially ended on December 9, the Wike-aligned group countered the move by appointing a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, to run the party for 60 days.
INEC Explains Its Position
Consequently, INEC, in a letter dated December 22 and addressed to the Turaki-led NWC’s lawyers, Akintayo Balogun & Co, stated that it could not recognise or update the list of PDP national officers allegedly elected at the November convention.
The letter, signed by Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission, and obtained by www.cjsoftflix.com, cited two subsisting final judgments of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which expressly restrained INEC from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of the PDP National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025.
INEC noted that although notices of appeal had been filed against the judgments, the law is settled that the filing of an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution, adding that it remains bound by Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to obey court orders until they are set aside.
Pending Suits and Legal Constraints
The commission also referenced pending suits involving the PDP, stressing that the request for recognition was prejudiced until the determination of the appeals before the appellate courts.
INEC further explained that interim orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction could not override or nullify existing final judgments, insisting that its actions were guided strictly by the rule of law.
PDP Accuses INEC of Bias
Responding strongly, Ememobong accused INEC of bias and hypocrisy, alleging that the commission suppressed key facts in court and failed to acknowledge that it monitored PDP meetings and primaries conducted under the Turaki-led NWC.
He insisted that the party’s legitimate organs, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, National Assembly caucuses, and state chairmen, all recognise Turaki as the authentic leader of the PDP.
According to him, the Wike and Anyanwu group could not be described as a faction, arguing that democracy thrives on majority rule and internal party autonomy.
Anyanwu Reacts
Speaking exclusively to www.cjsoftflix.com, Senator Anyanwu welcomed INEC’s rejection of the Ibadan convention, stating that the electoral body deserved commendation for respecting the law and existing court judgments.
“The Ibadan gathering cannot and should not be acceptable by any legal entity,” he said, reaffirming the Wike-backed faction’s position.
As the legal battle continues, Nigerians and political observers remain keenly watching how the unfolding crisis within the PDP could reshape the country’s opposition politics ahead of future elections.
For continuous updates, in-depth political reports, and exclusive developments on Nigeria’s democracy, stay informed with www.cjsoftflix.com, your trusted source for reliable news and analysis.
