INEC Chairman Summons Turaki, Anyanwu Factions as PDP Leadership Crisis Worsens

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into leadership uncertainty, forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to step in and call a meeting with rival party factions in Abuja on Friday, December 19, 2025. The session was hosted at the INEC headquarters as tensions grew over conflicting claims of who leads the main opposition party.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan opened talks with representatives from both sides. His aim was to get clarity on why the electoral body keeps receiving two sets of correspondence from groups each saying they are the legitimate leadership of the PDP. The meeting came ahead of scheduled elections for the Federal Capital Territory area councils and governorship contests in Osun and Ekiti states in 2026.

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The first faction at the meeting was led by Tanimu Turaki SAN, heading a National Working Committee (NWC) that claims it was chosen through a lawful party convention. Turaki’s group says its leadership follows the PDP Constitution and should be recognised by INEC as the party’s official decision-making authority.

Joining the talks on the opposing side was the camp connected to Samuel Anyanwu, backed by a National Caretaker Committee supported by key party figures, including those loyal to Nyesom Wike. This faction has taken bold steps to reorganise party structures. In recent days, the Wike-aligned caretaker committee dissolved state working committees in 14 states and set new caretaker teams, saying it acts within the law and constitution of the PDP.

As the session began, Professor Amupitan thanked both sides for attending. He explained that INEC must verify which leadership structure it should recognise before the commission can formally engage with the PDP on election matters. After his remarks, reporters were asked to leave so the discussions could continue privately.

The leadership battle has been ongoing for weeks. The Wike faction insists its committee is the only legitimate authority and challenges Turaki’s group to prove that INEC accepted its list of executives on the commission’s portal. In statements released by the caretaker committee, its leaders rejected claims that Turaki had gained recognition from INEC and demanded evidence from him. They also outlined plans for party congresses beginning in January 2026, leading to a future national convention.

Meanwhile, the Turaki faction has rejected moves by the Wike bloc, accusing it of violating party procedures. Both sides have taken legal steps and filed petitions in court. The crisis has also caused confusion within state chapters, with parallel officials appointed by each group.

Political analysts warn that unresolved leadership fights could weaken the PDP’s ability to compete effectively in future elections. Supporters and stakeholders nationwide are watching closely as INEC continues to press both factions for clarity. The outcome could shape the party’s role in Nigeria’s political arena ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For now, INEC has not declared which faction it recognises. Both camps are expected to follow up with additional documents and arguments after the meeting, even as internal party disputes and legal battles continue.