Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have met with factional leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.
The sit-down, which was summoned by the electoral umpire, involves the faction led by Tanimu Turaki, former minister, and the group headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, which is backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital terrority (FCT).
Those attending the meeting on Turaki’s side include members of his national working committee (NWC) and Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state.
On Mohammed’s side are members of the national caretaker committee, including Samuel Anyanwu, the secretary.
In November, a faction of the party backed by the PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo; held a convention and elected new NWC members, with Turaki as chairman.
During the convention, the PDP expelled Wike and his allies — Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Oyo; Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohuabunwa, former lawmaker; Austin Nwachukwu, former Imo state PDP chairman; Amah Nnanna Abraham, former Abia state PDP chairman; Dan Orbih, former national vice-chairman (south-south); and Turnah George.
The Wike group rejected the expulsion and formed a parallel NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and NEC.
In a tit-for-tat, the Wike faction also expelled members of the Makinde faction.
