The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has said only the Supreme Court of Nigeria can determine the party’s leadership crisis, maintaining that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not have the final authority on the matter.

In a statement, Ini Ememobong, national publicity secretary of the Turaki-led faction, said the group had already approached the apex court to seek a definitive ruling on the dispute over the party’s leadership structure.

His comments follow INEC’s recognition of the National Working Committee (NWC) aligned with Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The commission listed the faction’s leadership on its official platform, naming Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman.

Mohammed and members of the NWC emerged during a national convention held on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Reacting to the development, the Turaki faction rejected the convention, describing it as illegitimate and alleging that it was organised in defiance of ongoing legal proceedings.

Ememobong said what “they mischievously tagged a PDP convention was held in contempt of the Court of Appeal”.

“They were served with the processes of the appeal at the Supreme Court, as well as other suits challenging the holding of the said convention,” the statement reads.

“The validity of that gathering is now a matter before the court, which we will diligently follow to its conclusion.”

The faction also alleged that the internal crisis within the PDP is being influenced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We must admit what is already public knowledge – these are very trying times for us, the PDP, and all opposition parties in Nigeria,” Ememobong said.

“These crises are clearly orchestrated by the Bola Tinubu-led APC government, who have shown morbid fear for the existence of alternative political platforms and is determined to foist a one-party state on the country.

“This fear is fuelled by their knowledge of the impending rejection Nigerians are waiting to serve them because of their abysmal performance in core governance issues like security, the economy, and social welfare.”

The leadership dispute within the PDP continues to deepen, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure as legal proceedings progress. (Daily Trust)