This statement also addresses recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — particularly its refusal to recognise the results of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State — and underscores the party’s ongoing legal strategy to defend its internal democratic processes.
1. The PDP Is United by Law, Structure, and Democratic Practice
Contrary to claims by some media outlets and opposing political actors, the PDP remains unified under its legitimately elected leadership. The confusion allegedly stems from conflicting letters and correspondences submitted to INEC — not from a genuine division within the party.
Multiple organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, State Chairmen, and both the Senate and House of Representatives caucuses, have publicly acknowledged the leadership of the current National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
These bodies represent the broad majority of the PDP’s organisational framework and membership, reinforcing that there is no competing constitutional leadership that has been legitimately elected under the party’s constitution.
2. INEC’s Position: Awaiting Judicial Resolution, Not Recognising a Faction
The legal dispute arose when INEC declined to recognise and upload the data of the officers elected at the Ibadan convention due to subsisting court judgments and pending litigation. In a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary Dr Rose Oriaran‑Anthony, the commission explained that it could not act on the PDP’s request to upload its leadership list while court cases were ongoing.
INEC maintains it is awaiting a final judgement from the Court of Appeal, which is expected to rule on the matter soon. As a result, the electoral body has positioned itself as a neutral party bound by the rule of law, pending the resolution of the litigation.
The party recognises the constitutional propriety of respecting judicial processes. However, the PDP also asserts that INEC must not overstep its constitutional role by implying or insinuating that the party has competing factions when the core issue before the courts concerns procedural legality, not factional legitimacy.
3. Court Actions: Appeal Filed; Stay of Execution Pending
The PDP has duly appealed the Federal High Court judgements which INEC cited in its refusal to act. Additionally, the party has filed applications for a stay of execution of the conflicting judgments, meaning the enforcement of those rulings should be suspended until the Court of Appeal delivers its judgment. Legal practitioners emphasise that an appeal and stay applications are essential components of due process in Nigerian law.
The party remains confident that the Court of Appeal will uphold the primacy of internal party democracy and affirm the legitimacy of the PDP’s leadership structures elected at Ibadan — further underscoring that there is no competing faction based on democratic legitimacy.
4. INEC’s Role & Nigeria’s Democracy: A Call for Impartiality
While INEC asserts its neutrality and constitutional adherence, the PDP views the commission’s actions as inconsistent and, in some cases, biased. This view stems from two primary concerns:
1. INEC participated in and monitored the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings leading up to the Ibadan convention, where the date and venue for the national convention were unanimously agreed upon. The party provided official notices of the convention — facts which were not presented by INEC in court.
2. INEC’s selective engagement with conflicting correspondence from different party leaders has created a perception of arbitrariness rather than firm adherence to the rule of law.
The PDP stresses that INEC’s constitutional responsibility is to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and defend democratic principles, not to substitute itself as an arbiter of internal party matters — a responsibility that, in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, rests with the political parties and the judiciary.
The recent Supreme Court ruling in the SDP case, which fined INEC and firmly reinforced the autonomy of political parties from external interference, underscores this point. The apex court ruled that INEC had no authority to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties and cautioned against overreach — a precedent that should guide the commission’s conduct in similar disputes.
5. What “No Faction” Means in Practice
When the PDP says there is no faction, it means:
No group within the party has constitutionally valid authority outside the democratically elected processes as defined by the PDP’s constitution.
The party’s current administrative structure, led by Turaki, has been acknowledged by elected PDP stakeholders across Nigeria.
Any parallel committees that may have been formed — even if supported by prominent figures — lack constitutional standing under the PDP’s internal rules.
This unity is not theoretical; it is backed by the overwhelming endorsement of recognised party organs, including state party executives and legislative caucuses.
6. Democracy is Majority Rule — Not the Rule of a Few
Some interpretations of the party’s situation have characterised a smaller group of dissidents as a “faction.” The PDP rejects this framing. Democracy is fundamentally about majority rule, institutional processes, and adherence to constitutional norms.
The group sometimes labelled as a separate faction lacks the constitutional and electoral backing to constitute an alternative leadership. It does not reflect the will of the broader party membership, which continues to support the structures established through legitimate democratic processes.
7. A Call to Members and Nigerians: Maintain Faith in Democratic Processes
The PDP calls on all Nigerians — especially its members — to remain calm, resolute, and confident in the party’s future. The party is not weakened; rather, it is being tested in a public forum where its principles and internal democracy are defending constitutional rights, democratic norms, and organisational integrity.
This moment, while challenging, underscores the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy. The PDP remains committed to:
Upholding internal democratic practices.
Engaging with legal avenues to resolve disputes.
Supporting free, fair, and transparent elections.
Positioning itself for electoral success in future polls.
The party reaffirms its determination to remain a strong opposition, accountable to millions of Nigerians who believe in good governance, equity, and national progress.
8. Final Thoughts: PDP Stronger, Not Divided
In conclusion:
✅ There is no legitimate faction in the Peoples Democratic Party.
✅ The party’s leadership was democratically elected and is supported by recognised organs.
✅ The current dispute is a legal matter awaiting judicial resolution, not evidence of a split.
✅ INEC must respect democracy, be impartial, and allow court processes to play out.
✅ The PDP remains focused on the future — not on manufactured division.
As Nigeria navigates its democratic journey, the PDP stands firm in its belief that institutional fidelity, respect for law, and grassroots support are the pillars that will propel the party — and the nation — forward.
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