The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike remain entrenched in their positions despite efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to mediate the ongoing party crisis.

INEC recently summoned the factions chaired by Tanimu Turaki and Abdulrahman Mohammed to its Abuja headquarters in an attempt to resolve the impasse. The intervention was prompted by party correspondence and upcoming elections, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls on February 21, 2026, and the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states scheduled for June and July 2026. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan explained: “And we are aware that INEC is charged statutorily under the Act and under the Constitution to monitor the activities of political parties.”

Speaking to Punch, PDP National Publicity Secretary for Makinde’s camp, Ini Ememobong, said the party will continue its political responsibilities, emphasising its commitment to “repositioning the party for victory.” He added that both factions must await the Court of Appeal’s ruling, noting that the Supreme Court has advised that INEC cannot determine party leadership.

Ememobong clarified, “The two rulings of Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Courts on the convention are being challenged. So, everyone has to wait for the Appeal Court judgment. We know that the court shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of any political party, and the court didn’t stop our November convention. It just said INEC shouldn’t attend, while the other said Sule Lamido should be included. We are contending that those are internal affairs of the party.”

Meanwhile, Acting National Youth Leader for Wike’s faction, Timothy Osadolor, reiterated that leadership issues are currently in court. He stressed that “nothing could be done unless the warring parties withdrew their cases and accepted that there was no exercise in Ibadan.”

Osadolor added a warning to members who participated in the “early Christmas party” during the November convention in Ibadan, saying, “They went to Ibadan, and several of them have defected. Governor Ademola Adeleke has defected to the Accord Party, and another governor has gone to the All Progressives Congress. If they believe they are still part of the PDP family, they should come, except they have another party they can lay claim to.”

With both factions remaining firm and court proceedings ongoing, the PDP’s leadership crisis shows no signs of immediate resolution, leaving party unity and electoral prospects uncertain ahead of the 2026 polls.