INEC has convened an emergency meeting in Abuja to resolve the PDP leadership crisis involving rival factions loyal to Wike and Turaki
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday convened an emergency meeting with rival leadership factions of the Peoples Democratic Party in a renewed effort to resolve the party’s protracted internal dispute.
Also read: Adeleke Dismisses Oyebamiji’s “Moribund” Health Claim
The closed-door talks are taking place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja and involve representatives of two opposing blocs within the PDP, one aligned with former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki and the other loyal to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Turaki attended the meeting alongside members of his National Working Committee, senior officials of the PDP national secretariat, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu.
Representing the rival camp, Mohammed arrived with members of the party’s national caretaker committee, including its secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.
The emergency intervention comes after months of escalating leadership disputes that have left the opposition party fractured, with parallel structures and competing claims to authority at the national level.
The PDP leadership crisis deepened following disagreements over control of party machinery, recognition of executives, and unresolved tensions after the 2023 general elections.
At the centre of the standoff is a power struggle between factions loyal to Wike, an influential party figure and former presidential aspirant, and groups opposed to his dominance within the party hierarchy.
The rift has been fuelled by conflicting congresses, multiple court actions, and rival claims to key party offices, creating uncertainty over which faction INEC should officially recognise.
The situation has repeatedly drawn the attention of the electoral umpire, as unresolved leadership disputes pose a direct risk to the party’s ability to meet regulatory requirements ahead of future elections.
INEC’s decision to summon both camps is widely seen as a decisive attempt to force dialogue, halt further legal battles, and stabilise the party, which has continued to lose political ground amid internal turmoil.
Also read: Nigeria Commissions West Africa’s First PCB Treatment Facility
Details of the deliberations and any resolutions are expected to be made public after the meeting.
