The National factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has questioned the independence of the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the commission of deliberately blocking the party from submitting the name of its governorship candidate for the forthcoming Ekiti State election.
Turaki, however, insisted that INEC has duly recognised his leadership of the PDP, noting that the commission’s monitoring of the party’s governorship primaries in both Ekiti and Osun states amounted to formal recognition.
He spoke on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting between members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), party elders, and former President Goodluck Jonathan at the former leader’s residence in Abuja.
Allegation Against INEC
Turaki said the party complied fully with all statutory requirements, including issuing notices for its primaries, which INEC honoured by attending, monitoring, and issuing reports.
“INEC attended our Ekiti governorship primary, monitored it, and wrote a report. INEC also gave us access to its portal to upload the details of our candidate and his running mate. We accessed the portal, downloaded the necessary forms, and completed the process,” he said.
He alleged that after initial access was granted, the party was later blocked from uploading the candidate’s information on INEC’s portal.
“Somewhere along the line, INEC blocked us from accessing the platform again. However, we had already made a manual submission, which INEC received,” Turaki stated.
According to him, the same process played out in Osun State, where INEC monitored the PDP governorship primary and documented the outcome.
“As far as statutory obligations are concerned, we complied fully. INEC attended, monitored, and documented our primaries. These actions confirm recognition of our leadership,” he said, adding that recent developments were now raising concerns about INEC’s neutrality.
Visit to Jonathan
Explaining the visit to the former president, Turaki said the delegation introduced members of the newly elected NWC and briefed Jonathan on the state of the party following the November national convention in Ibadan.
He said Jonathan assured the delegation of his continued loyalty and active involvement in the PDP.
“He reaffirmed that he remains a card-carrying and committed member of the PDP and expressed readiness to be more active as we prepare for the Ekiti and Osun off-season elections and the 2027 general election,” Turaki said.
The PDP chairman described Jonathan’s remarks as “reassuring and encouraging,” stressing that the party remains Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.
“PDP remains the most veritable platform for winning elections in Nigeria. This leadership is returning the party to the people. There will be inclusiveness, fairness, and no tolerance for impunity,” he said.
On Party Crisis and Legal Battles
Addressing questions on the party’s internal crisis, Turaki said the PDP did not initiate any of the court cases currently affecting it but was compelled to defend itself.
“We were dragged to court. We have a responsibility to defend the party and its members,” he said, adding that reconciliation would follow the resolution of legal disputes.
He maintained that the PDP would be open to reintegrating members who show remorse and demonstrate loyalty to the party.
“Those who are willing to remain loyal and contribute positively to the party will be carried along,” he said.
BY GODWIN OBI
The National factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has questioned the independence of the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the commission of deliberately blocking the party from submitting the name of its governorship candidate for the forthcoming Ekiti State election.
Turaki, however, insisted that INEC has duly recognised his leadership of the PDP, noting that the commission’s monitoring of the party’s governorship primaries in both Ekiti and Osun states amounted to formal recognition.
He spoke on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting between members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), party elders, and former President Goodluck Jonathan at the former leader’s residence in Abuja.
Allegation Against INEC
Turaki said the party complied fully with all statutory requirements, including issuing notices for its primaries, which INEC honoured by attending, monitoring, and issuing reports.
“INEC attended our Ekiti governorship primary, monitored it, and wrote a report. INEC also gave us access to its portal to upload the details of our candidate and his running mate. We accessed the portal, downloaded the necessary forms, and completed the process,” he said.
He alleged that after initial access was granted, the party was later blocked from uploading the candidate’s information on INEC’s portal.
“Somewhere along the line, INEC blocked us from accessing the platform again. However, we had already made a manual submission, which INEC received,” Turaki stated.
According to him, the same process played out in Osun State, where INEC monitored the PDP governorship primary and documented the outcome.
“As far as statutory obligations are concerned, we complied fully. INEC attended, monitored, and documented our primaries. These actions confirm recognition of our leadership,” he said, adding that recent developments were now raising concerns about INEC’s neutrality.
Visit to Jonathan
Explaining the visit to the former president, Turaki said the delegation introduced members of the newly elected NWC and briefed Jonathan on the state of the party following the November national convention in Ibadan.
He said Jonathan assured the delegation of his continued loyalty and active involvement in the PDP.
“He reaffirmed that he remains a card-carrying and committed member of the PDP and expressed readiness to be more active as we prepare for the Ekiti and Osun off-season elections and the 2027 general election,” Turaki said.
The PDP chairman described Jonathan’s remarks as “reassuring and encouraging,” stressing that the party remains Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.
“PDP remains the most veritable platform for winning elections in Nigeria. This leadership is returning the party to the people. There will be inclusiveness, fairness, and no tolerance for impunity,” he said.
On Party Crisis and Legal Battles
Addressing questions on the party’s internal crisis, Turaki said the PDP did not initiate any of the court cases currently affecting it but was compelled to defend itself.
“We were dragged to court. We have a responsibility to defend the party and its members,” he said, adding that reconciliation would follow the resolution of legal disputes.
He maintained that the PDP would be open to reintegrating members who show remorse and demonstrate loyalty to the party.
“Those who are willing to remain loyal and contribute positively to the party will be carried along,” he said.
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