The leadership crisis rocking the (PDP) again took centre stage on Thursday as the (INEC) convened a meeting of rival factions laying claim to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
According to a statement issued after the meeting, INEC invited the Kabiru Turaki–led NWC and other former party officials asserting parallel leadership claims, urging all sides to “find a way to resolve the lingering crisis in the party.” Both camps reportedly made detailed submissions on the origins and legal trajectory of the dispute.
However, the commission noted that the substantive issues are already before the Court of Appeal, making any administrative resolution premature. INEC therefore maintained that it would abide strictly by the final judicial pronouncement before recognising any leadership structure.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, , SAN, who claims to head the party following a contested national convention, said his group would continue to function as the PDP’s authentic leadership pending the court’s decision.
“As the leadership that emerged from a valid convention—though currently under judicial review—we will continue to discharge our responsibility as an opposition party,” Turaki said. “This includes holding the government to account on critical national issues such as security, infrastructure, education and healthcare.”
INEC, according to the PDP, clarified that the meeting was primarily to hear from all sides and reaffirmed that it would not take any action that could prejudice the ongoing appellate proceedings.
The development underscores the depth of the PDP’s internal divisions and the growing role of the judiciary in resolving party leadership disputes ahead of future electoral timelines. Political observers warn that prolonged uncertainty could weaken the party’s opposition role unless a clear and final legal resolution is reached.
The statement was signed by , National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, on December 19, 2025.