The leadership conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be settling. Senior party sources indicate a decisive tilt towards the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). They interpret recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as practical confirmation of this group’s legitimacy.

This development comes despite public disagreements. The faction led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu continues to challenge the Turaki-led NWC. However, PDP insiders believe a series of official INEC actions have resolved any doubt about which leadership the commission truly recognises.

INEC Monitors Osun Primary, Recognises Turaki Faction

INEC physically monitored the Osun governorship primary election. Five officials were present during the exercise. The official notice for this primary was signed by the Turaki-led NWC. This committee emerged from the December 8 convention.

Party sources see INEC’s monitoring of the primary as a clear endorsement. They believe it validates the faction that organised it. “From where we sit inside the party, this whole argument about legitimacy shouldn’t even exist,” an insider stated.

“The Turaki-led NWC is the one INEC recognises. That’s the simple truth,” the insider added. “Even the official notice for the Osun governorship primary was signed by the Turaki-led team. INEC physically monitored it with five officials present. Everyone saw what happened in Osogbo on Tuesday.”

Anyanwu Group’s Efforts Rejected by INEC

INEC also refused to act on a letter from the Anyanwu-led group. This letter sought to postpone the Ekiti congresses and governorship primary. Party sources explained the reason for INEC’s refusal.

They said the letter “didn’t meet basic requirements.” It was not signed by the party chairman and secretary officially recognised by INEC. “What happened with the Ekiti issue is actually very straightforward,” a source explained.

“Anyanwu’s camp wrote to INEC claiming they had postponed the primary. But the letter didn’t meet basic requirements. It wasn’t signed by the chairman and secretary that INEC officially recognises. Naturally, INEC said they couldn’t act on it. Simple.”

The source further clarified that the party had already acknowledged an earlier INEC letter. This letter rejected the Anyanwu group’s notice to postpone the Ekiti congresses and governorship primary. They claim to possess photos and documents to support this.

“Then, a few days later, the Commission tried to distance itself from the version of the letter they had sent. We had already acknowledged it. But we have the photos showing they wrote it and transmitted it to us,” he said. “It wasn’t even something meant for the press, so how it leaked out, we honestly don’t know.”

Another insider revealed INEC’s eagerness for the Osun primary. “To be frank, INEC was even the one nudging the NWC to conduct the Osun primary quickly. They didn’t want us missing the legal window. That would have left the party without a candidate. Imagine the signal that would have sent ahead of 2027.”

“No Factional Split” Say Insiders

Internal sources downplayed the intensity of the ongoing crisis. They insist the situation does not constitute a “factional split.” This definition is based on PDP history. They contend a true faction emerges when attendees physically walk out of a convention. They then set up parallel structures. Such an event, they claim, did not occur in this instance.

“And this talk about ‘factions,’ let’s be serious,” an insider asserted. “You don’t just wake up and declare that A, B and C have formed a new bloc. It doesn’t work like that in the PDP. The only time we truly had a faction was when those five governors walked out at Eagle Square before the 2015 elections.”

He continued: “A faction emerges at the convention, physically. It happens when people who are in attendance walk out and set up their own convention and structures. None of that happened here. So, technically speaking, there is no faction in the PDP today.”

Awaiting Judicial Pronouncement

The PDP has faced disputes since its December 8 convention. This led to a split in leadership. Despite INEC’s practical actions, the party awaits a definitive judicial pronouncement. A court in Ibadan is scheduled to deliver a judgment next week. This judgment will address the legality of the December 8 convention. It is expected to provide formal clarity on the leadership question.