PDP Crisis: Turaki-led Faction Accuses INEC Of  Bias, Submits Jonathan’s Name As Presidential Candidate

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fresh turn, as the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Saminu  Turaki, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias and submitted the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The faction, which claims to be the authentic leadership of the PDP, alleged that INEC denied it access to the electronic platform required for the submission of candidates, forcing it to resort to manual submission.

It subsequently submitted Jonathan’s name, alongside those of its governorship, National Assembly and state assembly candidates, to the electoral commission.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, disclosed this at a press conference on Thursday alleging that INEC’s refusal to provide the necessary access codes amounted to unfair treatment of the group.

Ememobong said, “Notwithstanding INEC’s refusal to provide us with the necessary access codes, we have successfully submitted, manually and in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the list of candidates sponsored by the authentic Peoples Democratic Party.”

According to him, the documents submitted by the faction were received by INEC.

The faction accused the electoral commission of failing to maintain neutrality in the PDP leadership crisis, alleging that INEC had ignored what it described as relevant facts and court orders concerning the party’s leadership.

It said the action by the electoral commission was particularly troubling because of the implications for the party’s participation in the 2027 general election.

The faction also warned that it would challenge any candidate list published by INEC that differs from the names submitted by its camp.

The latest development has therefore shifted the PDP crisis beyond the question of who controls the party structure to the potentially more consequential issue of which faction has the authority to submit candidates for the 2027 election.

The Turaki-led faction said it had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over INEC’s alleged refusal to recognise its interim leadership.

It also criticised a recent judgment by Justice Salim Oluwasupo Ibrahim, arguing that the decision contradicted earlier judgments of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal which, according to the faction, supported its position on the PDP leadership crisis.

Ememobong said the faction had appealed the judgment and remained confident of victory at the appellate court.

The submission of Jonathan’s name is particularly significant because it could further complicate the battle over the PDP presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

The Turaki-led faction had previously endorsed the former president as its sole presidential candidate.

However, the rival PDP camp backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has rejected the Turaki faction’s claim to the party’s leadership and its authority to nominate candidates.

The development raises the possibility of rival factions presenting competing candidate lists to INEC, potentially triggering another legal battle over which list should be recognised by the electoral commission.

The Turaki-led faction warned that it would challenge any candidate list published by INEC that differs from the one it submitted.

It also accused the electoral commission of actions capable of weakening opposition politics and undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

With the PDP already divided over its leadership, the submission of Jonathan’s name has now placed the electoral commission at the centre of the party’s internal dispute, while the courts are likely to play a crucial role in determining which faction has the legitimate authority to nominate candidates for the 2027 elections.