PDP Crisis: Turaki Faction Condemns INEC Recognition of Wike’s Committee

• Kabiru Turaki-led PDP faction rejects INEC recognition of Wike-backed caretaker committee.
• Court previously nullified PDP convention that elected Turaki and barred him and others from acting as party officers.
• Turaki faction vows to challenge INEC decision through all available legal channels.

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has strongly criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognizing the Wike-backed caretaker committee, calling the move unconstitutional and provocative. The dispute adds to the party’s ongoing leadership battle as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Court Nullification and Factional Rivalry

The crisis stems from a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, which nullified the PDP National Convention that had elected Turaki and other NWC members. The court directed Turaki and others to cease parading themselves as party officers.

See also: Wike-backed PDP shifts national convention to March 29–30

Despite the ruling, the Wike-aligned faction maintained its claim to leadership, forming a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, 2025, with a 60-day mandate. Both the governors’ bloc and the Wike-aligned faction approached INEC for official recognition, but the commission initially declined to acknowledge either side, triggering multiple legal disputes.

INEC Recognition and Turaki’s Response

Following recent court developments, INEC formally recognised the Wike-backed caretaker committee during its quarterly consultative meeting in Abuja, with key officers presented as Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary, and National Organising Secretary.

Reacting to this, Turaki’s faction, through National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, condemned the commission’s actions as vexatious and capable of causing unrest within the party. He stressed that the faction would pursue all legal remedies to challenge INEC’s recognition, urging members to remain calm and patient as the courts determine the rightful leadership of the PDP.

Ememobong reaffirmed that the Rebirth movement under Turaki’s leadership remains steady and secure, assuring members that the party would ultimately overcome these challenges and present a stronger, united front to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.

The outcome of ongoing court cases and INEC recognition will be decisive in determining which faction legitimately leads the PDP as the 2027 elections approach.