Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it is unable to upload details of the party’s newly elected leadership due to the existence of factions and a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary,
said in a statement that “in law and in fact, there is no faction in the
Peoples Democratic Party.”
He said the clarification had become necessary following
INEC’s letter explaining its refusal to recognise and upload the data of the
leadership elected at the party’s convention in Ibadan, citing judgments of the
Federal High Court.
Ememobong noted that the judgments referenced by INEC have
been appealed, with applications for stay of execution already filed.
“Very soon, the Court of Appeal will hear and determine the
matters,” he said.
The party accused INEC of double standards, noting that the
commission was privy to and participated in meetings where the convention was
agreed upon.
“It is needful to state that INEC monitored and participated
in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and
venue were unanimously agreed. INEC was also in receipt of the notice of the
convention — a fact the commission has unconscionably suppressed in court in
several cases,” the statement said.
It added that INEC also monitored the party’s governorship
primaries in Ekiti and Osun states, with official communication emanating from
the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
“While we appreciate the monumental pressure that INEC has
come under — after all, he who pays the piper dictates the tune — we remind the
commission that its constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and
to the defence and protection of democracy,” the party said.
The PDP said while INEC claims neutrality and says it is
awaiting court judgments, it should be guided by Supreme Court rulings,
particularly the recent judgment in the SDP case, which bars INEC from
interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.
The party reiterated that there is no faction in the PDP,
insisting that all legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the
party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
It noted that in the past month, the Board of Trustees,
Governors’ Forum, state chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives caucuses,
former governors, former ministers and other key stakeholder groups have all
met with and recognised the current National Working Committee led by Turaki.
The PDP urged INEC to “remember that democracy is hinged on
majority rule,” arguing that “a committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu cannot
be validly referred to as a faction of the PDP.”
The party recalled that, at INEC’s instance, it met with the
commission last week to present its position.
“We would ordinarily not respond to this letter except to
point out the hypocrisy and consistent bias that has completely coloured the
actions of the electoral umpire,” the statement said.
It accused INEC of showing bias even in court proceedings by
allegedly failing to file documents in its possession that were relevant to the
cases.
“If INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN,
knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting
of Friday last week, except to create a false perception of faction to justify
its actions and inactions?” the party asked.
The PDP called on Nigerians, particularly its members, to
remain calm and resolute, and to continue supporting what it described as the
rebirth and repositioning of the party ahead of future elections.
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