Turaki Says No Cause For Alarm As INEC Recognises Wike-backed PDP

Turaki Says No Cause For Alarm As INEC Recognises Wike-backed PDP

The unfolding political drama within Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken another turn following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The commission invited the Abdulraham Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led faction to a stakeholders’ meeting in preparation for the 2027 general elections. This recognition comes after a Federal High Court ruling that sacked the faction led by Barrister Tanimu Turaki, SAN, thereby intensifying the internal crisis within the PDP.

Despite the development, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and his loyalists have maintained that there is no cause for alarm. The national publicity secretary of the Turaki-led PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described INEC’s action as “vexatious” but assured members that the matter would be addressed through legal channels. He emphasized that the commission’s reliance on a judgment currently under appeal was premature, and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would soon resolve the leadership disputes.

Turaki’s camp insists that INEC cannot impose leadership on the party, and urged members to remain calm and steadfast in their support for the Rebirth movement under Turaki’s leadership.

In Asaba, Turaki inaugurated the Delta State Caretaker Committee of the PDP, with Prof. Sylvester Monye appointed as chairman for a three-month tenure. The committee is tasked with organizing congresses across the state to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures. 

Turaki, represented by Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, reiterated that the PDP remains the only people-oriented party in Nigeria, highlighting its consistency in identity, logo, and name. He assured party faithful that the PDP would be on the ballot in 2027 and positioned as a credible alternative to the ruling party.

The inauguration drew significant attendance from party leaders and members, including Board of Trustees representatives Chief Ejiofor Onyia, Dr. Esther Uduehi, and Chief Clement, who commended the resilience of the party’s supporters. Prof. Monye, in his remarks, declared that “Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta,” pledging to deliver credible congresses within the stipulated ninety days. He emphasized that the PDP’s mission is to entrench a democracy rooted in the people, in line with the party’s founding principles.

This latest development underscores the deepening factional struggles within the PDP, yet Turaki’s message of reassurance seeks to project stability and confidence. His insistence that the party remains united and people-focused reflects an effort to rally members around the vision of renewal, even as the courts continue to deliberate on the leadership tussle.

The recognition of the Wike-backed faction by INEC may have raised tensions, but Turaki’s camp is determined to pursue legal remedies while keeping the party machinery active and visible across the states.