The internal leadership crisis within Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken another significant turn following the submission of a separate list of candidates for the 2027 general elections by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC).
At a press briefing in Abuja, the faction announced that it had manually submitted a comprehensive list of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential flag bearer.
According to the committee, the submission became necessary after INEC allegedly declined to issue electronic access credentials required for online uploads.
The faction maintained that manual submission complies with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and remains legally valid despite the commission's position on the party's leadership.
National Publicity Secretary of the committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, explained that the documents submitted cover candidates contesting the presidential election, governorship positions, National Assembly seats, and State Houses of Assembly.
He further disclosed that INEC acknowledged receipt of the documents, while insisting that the commission should not recognize or publish any alternative candidate list submitted by any other faction claiming to represent the PDP.
The development further highlights the ongoing leadership crisis that has continued to divide the party following legal and administrative disagreements over its national leadership structure.
The development represents another major chapter in the PDP's internal leadership dispute ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts say the eventual recognition of party leadership and candidate lists by INEC could significantly influence the opposition party's preparedness for the elections.
The inclusion of former President Goodluck Jonathan's name on the submitted list has also intensified public interest, although INEC has yet to make any official decision regarding the validity of the submission or the recognition of the faction.
The dispute further underscores the importance of internal party cohesion, transparent leadership processes, and compliance with electoral regulations in strengthening Nigeria's democratic institutions.
"We will pursue all constitutional and legal avenues if INEC recognizes another list. The manual submission fully complies with the Electoral Act 2026."
— Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee
The leadership disagreement stems from a Supreme Court decision that left the PDP without a nationally recognized executive leadership.
Following the ruling, the party's Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee reportedly constituted the Interim National Working Committee to oversee party affairs pending the resolution of the leadership crisis.
However, INEC has yet to formally recognize the interim structure despite receiving notifications from the faction.
Political observers believe the matter may ultimately require judicial clarification if multiple candidate lists emerge before the official publication of candidates for the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, INEC has not publicly commented on the latest submission beyond acknowledging receipt of the documents.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the resolution of leadership disputes and adherence to electoral laws will remain central to ensuring credible, transparent, and peaceful democratic processes in Nigeria.