The two warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reassured Nigerians that the party remains united in purpose and committed to its role as Nigeria’s leading opposition party, despite its lingering leadership crisis.
The assurances were given on Friday by the PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, and the embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, following a crucial meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
PDP Leadership Crisis: INEC Steps In
Speaking separately with journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the engagement was convened at the invitation of INEC to address the prolonged internal dispute rocking the party’s national leadership.
“We want to assure Nigerians and indeed our party members that we are on course. We shall continue to remain on course by the special grace of God,” Turaki said.
He disclosed that the National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership honoured the invitation but expressed surprise that some individuals who had been expelled from the PDP were also invited by the electoral body.
According to him, both factions presented their positions to INEC.
“We have spoken from our own perspective. We have made presentations on the issues, and INEC has listened to us,” he stated.
INEC Cannot Act as a Court — Turaki
Turaki explained that INEC acknowledged that several issues surrounding the PDP leadership crisis were already before the Court of Appeal, while others were yet to be heard.
He said the commission made it clear that it could not assume the role of a court of law but promised to carefully review the submissions made by both factions and communicate its decision in due course.
While awaiting INEC’s response, Turaki insisted that the PDP under his leadership would continue to function fully.
“The PDP will continue to hold the government accountable, uphold the rule of law, promote best democratic practices, and address the challenges facing Nigerians,” he said.
INEC’s Recognition Question
When asked which PDP leadership INEC recognised, Turaki said the commission’s primary objective was to find a sustainable path forward for the party.
He commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and his team for giving both factions a fair hearing.
“I think what INEC has done, in the spirit of reconciliation, is proper. If only one side was invited, it would have been like talking to ourselves,” he said.
Elections and Democracy at Stake
Turaki warned that excluding a major opposition party like the PDP from elections would undermine Nigeria’s democratic credibility, especially in upcoming polls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ekiti, and Osun States.
“Conducting an election that a major opposition party will not participate in will cast a dark shadow on the process,” he warned.
He also urged INEC to adopt similar conflict-resolution approaches for other political parties experiencing internal crises.
Anyanwu: Court Disqualified Turaki-Led Executive
On his part, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, who leads the faction backed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, said the PDP would emerge stronger from the crisis.
“The PDP is still PDP. Nigerians know that PDP has mechanisms for managing internal crises. We will come out stronger,” Anyanwu said.
He claimed that a court ruling had invalidated the convention that produced the Turaki-led executive.
However, he praised INEC for demonstrating a genuine commitment to preserving the PDP as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Call for Reconciliation
Anyanwu said the meeting allowed both factions to highlight the root causes of the crisis, which he attributed to “greed, ambition, and ego.”
He reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to the rule of law, INEC guidelines, and the PDP Constitution, and urged aggrieved party members to return to the National Caretaker Committee for reconciliation.
Earlier, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan explained that the meeting became necessary due to conflicting communications received from both PDP factions, which threatened the party’s operational clarity ahead of elections.
