December 19, (THEWILL) — The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called on the warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to find a diplomatic resolution to the party’s protracted internal crisis.
The Chairman made the call on Friday during a consultative meeting with the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and other aggrieved former officials claiming leadership of the main opposition party.
In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the commission noted that both sides were given an extensive platform to present their grievances and factual claims regarding the leadership impasse.
Both factions acknowledged that the dispute is currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
Addressing the stakeholders at the end of the session, Prof. Amupitan clarified that the engagement was designed to facilitate a direct hearing from all parties involved.
He emphasised that while INEC remains a neutral arbiter, the commission is duty-bound to await and abide by the final pronouncement of the Court of Appeal to determine the party’s legitimate leadership.
Speaking with journalists following the meeting, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, insisted on the legitimacy of his leadership, maintaining that his committee emerged from a valid national convention.
“As the authentic leadership of the party that emerged at a valid convention—though contested in court—while awaiting the pronouncement of the court, we will continue to undertake the duties of an opposition party,” Turaki stated.
He added that the party would not be distracted from its role of holding the government to account on critical national issues, including security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
THEWILL understands that INEC’s intervention is part of a broader strategy to ensure stability within Nigeria’s political parties while maintaining strict adherence to the rule of law and judicial processes.
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