The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invited both factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a meeting at its headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting is ongoing with the Tanimu Turaki-led group and the Nyesom Wike-supported faction in attendance.
Tanimu Turaki, PDP chairman, arrived alongside members of his national working committee (NWC), secretariat staff, and Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, Wike-aligned PDP chairman, was accompanied by his NWC officials, including Sam Anyanwu, his secretary.
The discussions are expected to focus on resolving the internal disputes within the party.
The meeting was convened by Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, ahead of the FCT area council elections and the Osun and Ekiti state polls scheduled for next year.
Following the opening remarks by Amupitan, who explained that the session was “to try to understand why the commission was receiving correspondence from two groups claiming leadership of the PDP,” journalists were asked to leave.
The split within the PDP became official as the tenure of the NWC elected in October 2021 ended.
In November, a faction supported by PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo, held a convention and elected new NWC members, with Turaki appointed chairman.
During the convention, Wike and his allies — Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Oyo; Anyanwu, Bature, Ajibade, Mao Ohuabunwa, former lawmaker; Austin Nwachukwu, former Imo PDP chairman; Amah Nnanna Abraham, former Abia PDP chairman; Dan Orbih, former national vice-chairman (south-south); and Turnah George — were expelled.
The Wike faction rejected the expulsions and established a parallel NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and national executive committee (NEC).
In a reciprocal move, the Wike-aligned faction also expelled members of the Makinde-supported group.
