PDP crisis: Turaki-led faction condemns INEC’s recognition of Wike-backed caretaker committee
The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for granting a formal recognition to the caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong who described the development as unconstitutional and provocative, said in a statement on Thursday that the Turaki-led faction would exhaust all legal means to challenge INEC’s decision.
INEC on Thursday presented the Wike-backed caretaker committee as PDP’s representatives at the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja, thereby granting the faction an official recognition.
Ememobong who decried the commission’s action, urged the party members to remain calm and patient in view of the final resolution of the leadership dispute in the court of law.
The statement read in part: “We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though capable of causing unrest, will be met with all possible legal responses. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party. Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon determine all cases concerning the leadership of our party.
“We assure that the rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”
A Federal High Court in Ibadan had in its ruling on Friday January 30, nullified the PDP National Convention held on November 15 and 16 2025, while barring Turaki and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
The court also declared the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the only recognized NWC of the PDP pending the conduct of a valid National Convention.
The Turaki-led faction rejected the verdict, as it proceeded on appeal, with Turaki stating that the court granted a relief not sought by the other faction, thereby turning itself into a charitable organization.
The 13-member caretaker committee set up by the Wike-aligned faction on December 8, whose mandate is expected to last for 60 days, has welcomed INEC’s recognition, while pledging to elect new NWC officials in a fresh convention.
