PDP leadership declared that “in law and fact, there is no faction in the Peoples Democratic Party,” describing INEC’s position as misleading and prejudicial to democracy.
The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of hypocrisy and consistent bias, insisting that there is no faction within the party despite claims by the electoral umpire that it is unable to recognise the party’s leadership due to ongoing court cases.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party's National Publicity Secretary, the PDP leadership declared that “in law and fact, there is no faction in the Peoples Democratic Party,” describing INEC’s position as misleading and prejudicial to democracy.
“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,” it said.
The PDP disclosed that the judgements cited by INEC are already being challenged at the Court of Appeal.
“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,” it said.
The party accused INEC of deliberately suppressing facts in court, particularly regarding its involvement in PDP internal activities.
The party said, “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.”
It further noted that INEC monitored party primaries conducted under the current National Working Committee in Osun and Ekiti states.
While acknowledging alleged external pressure on the electoral body, the PDP warned INEC against abandoning its constitutional responsibility.
The PDP also referenced recent Supreme Court decisions, warning INEC against interference in internal party affairs.
“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,” it said.
Reiterating its position, the party maintained that all legitimate organs of the PDP are under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
It listed several party bodies that have reportedly recognised the current leadership.
“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,” it said.
The PDP dismissed any opposing group as illegitimate, saying, “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.”
The party accused INEC of acting in bad faith even during ongoing litigation.
“Finally, having a 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,” the party said.
It further alleged that INEC failed to present relevant documents in court.
Questioning INEC’s conduct, the party said: “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.”
The PDP concluded by urging calm among its members and supporters.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that INEC had declined to recognise the Turaki-led NWC of the PDP, citing subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes surrounding the party’s leadership crisis.
In a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission said it could not accede to requests to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers elected at the PDP National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.