The FCT Minister Nyesom Wike-led PDP and the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction engaged in a war of words over the emergence of rival Independent National Electoral Commission nomination forms, conflicting candidates’ lists, and other issues arising from the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH dismissed the activities of Turaki’s faction, insisting they will not affect the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections. He also described the rival faction’s action as “419” and said its claims would eventually fail.
Reacting, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, through its publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, vowed not to back down in the ongoing dispute, insisting its position was backed by law and court judgments, while dismissing claims that its INEC nomination forms were fake, adding that only INEC could verify them.
The Supreme Court, in a split 3–2 decision delivered on April 30, nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, which was backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and produced the Turaki-led leadership.
Following the judgment, the Board of Trustees, chaired by Adolphus Wabara, reappointed Turaki and other members to an Interim National Working Committee. Since then, the group has continued to operate alongside the PDP leadership recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which Wike aligns with.
Meanwhile, the PDP, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, proceeded with the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants seeking the party’s tickets for the 2027 elections.
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Their activities were recognized and monitored by INEC in line with statutory requirements, and they were granted access codes to upload their candidates.
The Turaki faction, however, maintained a parallel structure and also issued nomination forms to prospective candidates for the forthcoming elections, despite lacking INEC recognition, access codes, and commission oversight of its activities or primaries, although some of its candidates displayed INEC nomination forms.
Reacting, the Wike-backed PDP asked INEC to verify the authenticity of the nomination forms being displayed by their rival faction, urging the commission to investigate and prosecute those responsible if the documents were found to be forged.
Mohammed further argued that the rival faction could not submit the alleged nomination forms without access to INEC’s nomination portal, adding that only legally recognized candidates could complete the nomination process.
He stated, “We are not concerned one bit about what these people are doing, and we will not be concerned. Whatever they are doing will not, in any way, affect the chances of the PDP at the polls come 2027. We have consistently maintained that lies and propaganda have expiry dates. This one is just like the convention they held, which we told the whole world could not stand and did not stand.
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