By Kingston Magare 5.2.2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under fire from the People’s Democratic Party faction led by Kabiru Turaki for giving the nod to the faction led by Nyesom Wike.
INEC formally recognised the Wike-backed caretaker committee, presenting the Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary, and National Organising Secretary as the PDP representatives at the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.
Both factions had earlier approached INEC seeking official recognition, but INEC declined to acknowledge either side but made a U-turn sparking multiple legal disputes as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
According to the Turaki PDP National Working Committee (NWC) the INEC recognising the faction of the party led by Wike who the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is, was unconstitutionally provocative.
“We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution,” the Turaki PDP said in a statement signed its national publicity secretary Ini Ememobong on Thursday.
“This action, though capable of causing unrest, will be met with all possible legal responses. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.
“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon determine all cases concerning the leadership of our party.
“We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”
Turaki and Wike...INEC takes side in the tug of war.