- Anyanwu said despite the crisis, the PDP remained intact and would continue to exist as a major political force in the country
- Turaki explained that the electoral body made it clear that matters currently at the Court of Appeal were beyond its jurisdiction
- INEC explained that the objective of the engagement was to explore ways of resolving what it described as unresolved leadership issues within the PDP
Leaders of opposing blocs within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday held talks with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of efforts to address the party’s lingering leadership dispute.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the meeting, which was held behind closed doors at INEC headquarters in Abuja, followed a series of conflicting letters submitted to the electoral body by different groups claiming control of the party’s leadership structure.
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Both sides described the commission’s intervention as a move aimed at restoring stability within the opposition party ahead of future electoral engagements.
The meeting came amid renewed assurances from former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that the PDP would overcome its internal challenges, stressing that reconciliation efforts were already underway to bridge the divide between the feuding factions.
Speaking after the engagement with INEC, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, who heads a faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, said his camp attended the meeting at the invitation of the commission to discuss internal party matters.
He, however, said they were taken aback to see individuals they considered expelled members also present at the meeting.
According to Turaki, INEC explained that the objective of the engagement was to explore ways of resolving what it described as unresolved leadership issues within the PDP. He said his faction made its position known to the commission and outlined what it believed were the root causes of the crisis.
“We received an invitation from INEC last night to attend the meeting this morning. On arrival, we discovered that some persons who had earlier been expelled from the party were also invited,” Turaki said.
He added that his group presented its case to the commission, noting that INEC acknowledged the limits of its powers, particularly on issues already before the courts. Turaki explained that the electoral body made it clear that matters currently at the Court of Appeal were beyond its jurisdiction and could not be pre-empted.
Reaffirming his faction’s stance, Turaki said they would continue to function as the legitimate leadership of the PDP and carry out their role as Nigeria’s leading opposition party. He also defended INEC’s decision to engage all parties, describing the process as similar to mediation.
According to him, INEC’s involvement was largely driven by the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process, warning that elections could be compromised if major political actors were unable to participate due to unresolved internal disputes.
On the other side, a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, alongside the Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, said their participation in the meeting was prompted by the exchange of letters between the two camps.
Anyanwu said INEC invited both sides following the conflicting correspondences sent by the factions, adding that court rulings made it necessary to establish a caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs.
He maintained that a court judgment nullified the Oyo convention, insisting that there was no valid convention. According to him, the PDP Board of Trustees subsequently constituted the caretaker committee to stabilise the party and reorganise its structures.
Expressing optimism about the party’s future, Anyanwu said despite the crisis, the PDP remained intact and would continue to exist as a major political force in the country.
Earlier, INEC clarified that the meeting was convened in light of preparations for forthcoming elections and the need to resolve conflicting leadership claims within the PDP. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission acted after receiving several letters from different sides of the party.
Amupitan stressed that INEC was carrying out its constitutional responsibility to monitor political parties and ensure credible elections, noting that its actions were guided strictly by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its internal regulations.
Those in attendance from Turaki’s camp included members of his National Working Committee and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu. The Mohammed-led faction was represented by members of the National Caretaker Committee, including Anyanwu.
The leadership crisis traces back to November, when a faction supported by PDP governors, including Makinde and Bala Mohammed, organised a convention and elected a new National Working Committee, with Turaki emerging as chairman.
At that convention, the party announced the expulsion of Wike and several of his allies, including former Oyo State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna Abraham, Dan Orbih and Turnah George.
The Wike-backed group rejected the expulsions and proceeded to set up parallel structures, including a National Caretaker Committee, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee. In response, that faction also announced the expulsion of individuals aligned with the Makinde-backed bloc.
Speaking later in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the PDP Youth Summit organised to mark his 63rd birthday, Saraki dismissed claims that the party was collapsing, describing internal disagreements as a normal part of political growth.
He said differing opinions within the PDP could ultimately strengthen the party rather than weaken it, adding that efforts were ongoing to resolve the impasse.
Saraki disclosed that both factions were already engaging INEC and assured party members that the leadership dispute would be settled soon. He also urged political leaders to prioritise youth empowerment, stressing that Nigeria’s future depended on the opportunities created for young people.
Addressing youths at the summit, Saraki encouraged them to take active roles in nation-building rather than remain on the sidelines, describing them as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
In his remarks, the Kwara State PDP Chairman, Issa Adamu Bawa, said the summit was organised in honour of Saraki, whom he described as a visionary leader with a strong political legacy. He added that the party remained committed to youth and women inclusion.
Delivering the keynote address, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, urged youths to prepare for leadership through discipline, education and service, noting that youth participation was vital to democratic development.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by Bam Omisore, described Saraki as a national figure whose influence extended beyond Kwara State, while urging young Nigerians to participate actively in politics and governance.
Earlier, the Kwara State PDP Youth Leader, Comrade Odunjo, called for unity and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging youths to mobilise and position themselves for leadership roles.
The summit, held at the Arca Santa Arena in Ilorin under the theme ‘Building the Future, Repositioning Kwara: Youth for Leadership Participation and Democratic Growth’, attracted party leaders, youth stakeholders and supporters from across the country.
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