New PDP exco rejects INEC’s position, insists party is unified

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to recognize its leadership, maintaining that the party remains unified “in law and fact.”

This response follows INEC’s refusal to acknowledge the Turaki-led NWC, which emerged from the party’s national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November.

INEC cited ongoing court cases related to the disputed convention as the reason for withholding recognition.

In a December 22 letter to the party’s legal representatives, INEC stated the matter is sub judice and that it cannot take administrative action that might affect the outcome of pending legal proceedings.

The Turaki-led committee is supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

The November convention took place amid conflicting court rulings—some Federal High Courts in Abuja had restrained the PDP from proceeding, while an Oyo State High Court permitted it and directed INEC to monitor.

A rival faction led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike later announced a parallel party structure.

Despite a formal request from the Makinde-backed PDP for INEC to recognize Turaki as national chairman, the commission declined, stating it would not update its records until all related court cases are resolved.

In reaction, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong argued that the judgments referenced by INEC are under appeal and that applications for a stay of execution have been filed.

He noted that INEC had monitored the convention and recent party primaries in Ekiti and Osun, and accused the commission of bias and inconsistency.

Ememobong emphasized that the PDP’s key organs, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, and state chairmen, recognize Turaki’s leadership.

He also referenced a Supreme Court decision that restricts INEC from interfering in the internal leadership matters of political parties.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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