The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Thursday met with the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some former party members laying claim to different leadership positions, urging them to find a way to resolve the lingering crisis within the party.
INEC convened the meeting to hear from all parties involved in the leadership dispute, which has generated parallel claims to the PDP’s national leadership.
At the meeting, representatives of both factions exhaustively presented their positions and confirmed that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal. Prof. Amupitan noted that while the commission is aware of the pending legal cases, the purpose of the engagement was to listen to the parties directly.
He added that INEC would await the final judgment of the Court of Appeal before taking any definitive position on the leadership dispute.
Speaking after the meeting, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, said the NWC under his leadership would continue to function in its capacity as the authentic leadership that emerged from a valid national convention, even as the outcome remains subject to judicial determination.
“As the authentic leadership of the party that emerged at a valid convention—though contested in court—while awaiting the pronouncement of the court, we will continue to undertake the duties of an opposition party,” Turaki said.
He added that the PDP would remain focused on holding the government accountable on critical national issues, including security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The statement was signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
