The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has firmly rejected claims of internal divisions, asserting that no faction exists within the party. In a strongly worded press statement, the PDP accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias and hypocrisy in handling the party’s leadership dispute, which stems from court judgments affecting the recognition of its elected officials.
The PDP stated this in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong on Tuesday, responding to an INEC letter explaining its refusal to recognize and upload data for the PDP’s leadership elected at the party’s convention in Ibadan.
According to the PDP, the Federal High Court judgments cited by INEC have been appealed, with an application for a stay of execution already filed. “Very soon the Court of Appeal will hear and give judgement in the matters,” the statement read.
Ememobong emphasized that INEC had actively participated in the party’s processes leading up to the convention. “INEC monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed and was also in receipt of the notice of the convention—a fact the Commission has unconscionably suppressed in court in several cases,” he stated.
The PDP further noted that INEC had monitored primaries in Ekiti and Osun states under the leadership of the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), and communications from that body had been acknowledged by the commission.
While acknowledging the “monumental pressure” on INEC—hinting at external influences with the phrase “he who pays the piper dictates the tune”—the PDP reminded the electoral body of its constitutional duty to Nigerians and the protection of democracy.
The statement criticized INEC’s claim of neutrality while awaiting court judgments, urging it to consider recent Supreme Court rulings, such as in the SDP case, which prohibit the commission from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties.
“The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP as all the legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the Party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN,” Ememobong declared. He highlighted that in the past month, key stakeholder groups—including the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, former Governors and Ministers—have met with and acknowledged Turaki’s leadership.
Dismissing a group associated with Nyesom Wike and Samuel Anyanwu as a “committee of friends,” the PDP argued that democracy operates on majority rule, rendering such claims invalid.
The statement also pointed to a recent meeting between PDP representatives and INEC, followed by correspondence clarifying the issues. Despite this, the PDP felt compelled to respond to INEC’s letter to expose what it described as “hypocrisy and consistent bias.” It accused INEC of failing to file relevant documents in court, thereby aiding those intent on “killing the PDP and truncating democracy.”
Questioning the purpose of a “contrived meeting” held last Friday amid ongoing litigation, the PDP suggested it was designed to create a false perception of factions to justify INEC’s stance.
In closing, the PDP called on its members and all Nigerians to “remain calm, resolute and continue to support the rebirth and renaissance moves of the party, as we reposition the party for electoral success in the coming elections.” The party expressed confidence in resolving the matter through the courts and restoring its unified structure.
