PDP faction condemns INEC’s recognition of rival committee as unconstitutional

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its official recognition of a caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The faction described the move as unconstitutional and provocative.

In a statement on Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong warned that the group would pursue all legal avenues to challenge the commission’s action.

This follows INEC formally presenting the Wike-backed committee’s leaders as PDP representatives at a quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.

Ememobong urged party members to remain calm and patient as the leadership dispute continues in the courts.

He characterized INEC’s recognition as vexatious, stating the commission should have exercised restraint due to pending appeals before the Court of Appeal.

“We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party,” the statement read in part, asserting that the Turaki-led “Rebirth movement” remains secure and will ultimately present a stronger, united party.

The crisis stems from a recent Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP National Convention held in November 2025 and barred Turaki and others from parading as national officers.

Despite this judgment, Wike and his allies maintain their positions.

Ahead of the expiration of the former chairman’s tenure in December, the Wike-aligned camp established a 13-member caretaker committee with a 60-day mandate.

This group has welcomed INEC’s recognition and pledged to organize a fresh convention to elect new national officials.

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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