The two distinct factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continue to stand firm in their political positions despite the intervention from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While Wike’s faction asserts it represents the party’s original leadership, Makinde’s bloc maintains its claim as the legitimate custodian of the party.
INEC intervened in the ongoing leadership crisis affecting the PDP on Friday by summoning the rival factions to its headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting brought together the factions led by Tanimu Turaki and the opposing group chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated that the intervention was necessary due to a series of conflicting correspondences received from the party.
“And we are aware that INEC is charged statutorily under the Act and under the Constitution to monitor the activities of political parties,” he remarked.
He noted that the intervention was also motivated by the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections set for February 21, 2026, as well as the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states scheduled for June and July 2026, respectively.
Speaking with journalists regarding INEC’s intervention, Makinde’s faction expressed that it would not be deterred from fulfilling its responsibilities as a political party, emphasizing its commitment to repositioning the party for future victories.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP (Makinde’s faction), Ini Ememobong, indicated that the outcome of the INEC meeting required both factions to await the Court of Appeal’s decision regarding ongoing matters.
He noted that the Supreme Court had advised INEC that it lacked the authority to determine the leadership of a political party.
Ememobong further clarified that the meeting with INEC was simply an interaction.
“The two rulings of Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Courts on the convention are currently under challenge. Thus, everyone must wait for the Appeal Court’s judgment.
“We understand that the court should not interfere in the affairs of any political party, and the court did not prevent our November convention; it merely stated that INEC should not participate, while another ruling included Sule Lamido. We argue that those are internal matters of the party,” Ememobong stated.
On behalf of Wike’s faction, the Acting National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, remarked that issues concerning the party’s leadership are before the courts, stressing that progress could only occur if the disputing parties decided to withdraw their cases and acknowledge that there was no exercise in Ibadan.
He mentioned that with such a development, the factions could then meet to discuss a way forward.
Osadolor noted that those who attended the “early Christmas party” (the PDP November convention) were encouraged either to return to the party or choose another path.
He commented, “They went to Ibadan, and many have since defected. Governor Ademola Adeleke moved to the Accord Party, while another governor joined the All Progressives Congress. If they consider themselves part of the PDP family, they should return, unless they have another party to which they can lay claim.
