Breaking: INEC blocks recognition of Turaki-led PDP leadership

Nigeria’s electoral umpire has stepped into the deepening leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), refusing to recognize the national working committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki.

In a formal response to the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its decision was based on the existence of multiple, unresolved court cases challenging the legitimacy of the proposed leadership structure. Until those legal disputes are conclusively determined, the commission said it would not accord official recognition to the Turaki-led NWC.

The rejection immediately complicates efforts by key figures within the opposition party to consolidate control ahead of future political contests. Turaki’s leadership bid has been openly backed by Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, both influential voices within the PDP’s internal power dynamics.

INEC’s position reinforces a long-standing principle in Nigeria’s electoral administration: the commission will not take sides in party disputes where parallel claims exist and courts are actively involved. By deferring to the judiciary, INEC is effectively freezing the PDP’s leadership question at the national level until there is legal clarity.

A party still trapped in legal limbo

The decision highlights the extent to which the PDP remains mired in internal divisions years after losing federal power. Factional alignments, competing conventions, and leadership tussles have repeatedly spilled into the courts, weakening the party’s ability to present a unified front.

For the Turaki-led group, INEC’s refusal is a significant setback. Without recognition from the electoral body, the faction cannot legally perform key functions such as submitting candidates’ names, convening recognised party activities, or representing the PDP in official dealings with INEC.

The backing of sitting governors underscores the political weight behind the Turaki camp, but INEC’s move shows that influence alone is insufficient where legal processes are ongoing. The commission’s reliance on existing court judgements and pending cases suggests that any attempt to fast-track recognition would risk violating judicial authority.

Kebbi PDP Boycotts National Convention Over Turaki’s Chairmanship Bid

For the PDP as a whole, the development deepens uncertainty around its national leadership structure. Until the courts resolve the disputes, the party is likely to remain in a state of organisational paralysis, with consequences for strategy, cohesion, and public perception.

As Nigeria edges closer to another election cycle, the inability of one of its major political parties to settle internal leadership questions continues to raise concerns about preparedness and stability within the opposition space.