The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has reaffirmed its authority over the party, with National Chairman Tanimu Turaki (SAN) insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission recognises the NWC backed by PDP governors as the authentic leadership of the party.

Speaking at the presentation of the Certificate of Return to the PDP Ekiti governorship candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday, Turaki said all major stakeholders of the party were with the NWC.

The event was attended by 30 PDP state chairmen, National Assembly members, NWC members, party leaders and supporters who travelled from Ekiti dressed in colourful Ankara attire.

Responding, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the faction supported by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led Caretaker Committee remained the legitimate leadership of the PDP.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Anyanwu accused Turaki of lying about INEC recognition, claiming that the commission had been duly notified of the party’s change of leadership.

Recall that PDP governors backed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were elected on November 16 to serve four-year terms.

However, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alongside his allies Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Anyanwu, continued to insist that they remain the Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively.

Even though the governors facilitated a smooth transition from former Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure officially expired on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction still announced, on Sunday, Mohammed, Anyanwu and others as members of a 60-day caretaker committee.

Turaki, while presenting the Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate, challenged those claiming to be factional leaders to present the evidence of INEC recognition for their own governorship candidate.

INEC earlier scheduled the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026.

Oluyede won the party’s primary held between November 8 and the early hours of November 9, securing 279 votes to defeat Funso Ayeni (239 votes) and Funmilayo Ogun (17 votes).

Addressing party leaders from across the country, Turaki declared, “All state chairmen of PDP are here. Nigerians have seen members of the National Assembly, founding fathers and mothers, former governors and former ministers of the PDP. Indeed, Nigerians have seen the crème de la crème of the party. Who else is missing this afternoon? Absolutely none.

“A strong statement has been made today. For anyone still doubting where the authentic leadership of the PDP lies, there should be no doubt again. This is PDP. This is where the PDP is and will continue to be.”

Displaying documents he said were forms issued by INEC to the NWC, Turaki expressed confidence that Oluyede would win the 2026 election.

“These are INEC forms. They confirm that INEC recognises what we have done in Ekiti State. If INEC recognises us, then who can be against our leadership?” he said.

Responding, Oluyede described Ekiti as a land of brilliance and courage globally celebrated for education and integrity, but held back by years of governance failures.

He pledged to restore good governance, revive the economy, strengthen communities, improve security and return the state to prosperity.

“My mission is clear: to revive our economy, ensure accessible healthcare, empower our youths and decisively tackle insecurity,” he said.

He urged aggrieved aspirants to withdraw their court cases, calling them “needless distractions” that could undermine party unity.

PDP National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, criticised those who once declared the party dead, but were now fighting to control it.

“You can now see that the PDP is alive. The same party they said was dead is what they are fighting for,” he said.