INEC Upholds Turaki-Led PDP Leadership, Rejects Attempted Hijack of Ekiti Governorship Primaries

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic order by officially recognizing the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the undisputed and legitimate leadership of the opposition party.

In a firm dismissal of what has been described as an attempted internal coup, INEC rejected a letter submitted by expelled party members Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu, who falsely paraded themselves as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. Their letter sought to postpone the forthcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial primaries, a move widely viewed as a desperate attempt to derail the party’s electoral preparations and destabilize Nigeria’s foremost opposition platform.

By refusing to acknowledge the duo’s communication and reaffirming the authenticity of the Turaki-led NWC, INEC has reinforced the authority of the party’s constitution and safeguarded the integrity of the electoral timeline. The commission’s stance neutralizes what many party loyalists considered a calculated ploy to sow confusion ahead of the crucial primaries.

The electoral body’s decision, which dismisses the document dated November 6, 2025, stands as a decisive blow against factional interference and underscores INEC’s determination to uphold legality and internal party democracy.