A fresh dispute has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions continue to clash over the legitimacy of nomination forms, candidates’ lists and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement pits the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against the group led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), with both camps insisting they are the lawful leadership of the party.
The crisis follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 30, which nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. After the ruling, the party’s Board of Trustees reappointed Turaki and members of his team into an Interim National Working Committee.
Despite this, the leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, proceeded with the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants seeking the party’s tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
The recognised leadership also conducted activities monitored by INEC and received the necessary access codes to upload candidates’ details to the commission’s portal.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction maintained its parallel structure and issued nomination forms to aspirants despite not having official recognition from INEC or access to the commission’s nomination portal.
Reacting to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed dismissed the activities of the rival faction, insisting they posed no threat to the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
He described the parallel exercise as fraudulent and urged INEC to verify the authenticity of the nomination forms being displayed by members of the rival group. According to him, anyone found to have forged official election documents should face prosecution.
Mohammed also questioned how the Turaki faction intended to submit candidates without access to INEC’s electronic nomination system, maintaining that only candidates presented by the recognised party leadership could complete the official nomination process.
Responding, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee rejected the allegations, insisting its actions were backed by existing court judgments and the law.
The faction’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, argued that only INEC has the authority to determine whether any nomination forms are genuine, dismissing claims that the documents in circulation were fake.
He further stated that his group remains focused on preparing candidates and pursuing pending court cases rather than engaging in exchanges with rival party members.
Ememobong acknowledged that the internal crisis has affected the party but expressed confidence that the legal battles currently before the courts would ultimately determine the rightful leadership.
According to him, the faction has no intention of withdrawing from the dispute and believes the courts will eventually rule in its favour, insisting its actions remain within the boundaries of the law.
