The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that it is now awaiting the judgment of the Supreme Court to resolve its protracted internal leadership crisis. This follows a meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) aimed at finding a solution to the party's divisions.
INEC's Mediation Effort and Court's Final Say
On Friday, December 19, 2025, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, issued a statement detailing the events. He revealed that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), had invited two factions to a meeting. One faction was the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), which the party recognizes as its authentic leadership. The other group consisted of former members claiming various leadership positions within the PDP.
According to Ememobong, Prof. Amupitan's goal was to "find a way to resolve the lingering crisis in the party." During the session, both sides presented their arguments and facts extensively. It was confirmed that the core issues are currently under the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the INEC Chairman clarified that the commission was fully aware of the pending court cases. He stated that INEC would await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter, effectively placing the resolution back in the hands of the judiciary.
Factions Dig In Amidst Power Struggle
Speaking after the INEC meeting, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, affirmed his committee's position. He described his NWC as the "authentic leadership" that emerged from a valid convention, despite the outcome being contested in court. Turaki pledged that while awaiting the court's verdict, his leadership would continue to perform its duty as an opposition party. This includes holding the government accountable on critical national issues such as security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The crisis has been fueled by a bitter power struggle primarily between Turaki and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Although Wike serves in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu, he remains a PDP member and asserts significant influence over the party's internal affairs. The dispute revolves around control, relevance, and the party's direction, especially concerning the 2027 presidential race.
INEC Chairman's Stance as a Key Variable
The new INEC helmsman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, finds himself at the center of this political complexity. Observers note that he has demonstrated a more resolute commitment to impartiality compared to his predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. His handling of recent electoral processes, like the Ekiti State gubernatorial straw poll, signaled an unwillingness to be swayed by political body language or external pressure.
Amupitan's clear stance—that elections must be decided solely by the electorate—has led both warring PDP camps to believe he will be guided strictly by court rulings. Stakeholders from both sides of the PDP divide have told journalists that, regardless of the claims made by the convention and caretaker camps, the Supreme Court will have the ultimate say in settling the contentious issues.
The leadership tussle presents a significant early test for the Amupitan-led electoral commission and continues to cast a shadow over the PDP's ability to regroup as a strong opposition force in Nigerian politics.
