The Peoples Democratic Party faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has protested the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to grant the party’s candidate nomination upload code to the PDP leadership backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Jungudo Mohammed, disclosed in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH that INEC had provided the access code for uploading the party’s 2027 candidates to the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, describing the move as further validation of the NWC’s legitimacy.
Responding to the development, the spokesperson of the Turaki-led faction, Ini Ememobong, told our correspondent that INEC’s recognition was merely administrative.
He argued that the electoral body would still recognise their faction and upload its candidates regardless of who holds the code, citing the commission’s handling of candidate submissions in Ekiti State and Osun State as examples.
The Supreme Court, in a split 3–2 ruling delivered on April 30, nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, which had the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and produced the Turaki-led leadership.
In the aftermath of 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 function alongside the PDP leadership recognised by INEC and aligned with Wike.
The PDP, led by Mohammed and the 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.
In addition to enjoying INEC’s recognition, their activities were duly monitored by the electoral commission in line with statutory requirements.
Maintaining its parallel structure, the Turaki faction also issued nomination forms to prospective candidates for the forthcoming elections, despite lacking INEC recognition and without the commission’s monitoring of its activities or primary elections.
Reacting to the development, PDP Publicity Secretary, Mohammed, said the party placed greater importance on INEC’s recognition, insisting that the Turaki group had misled those willing to be misled.
He stated, “Unfortunately for them, lies have an expiry date, and INEC has issued us the codes to upload the names of our candidates. We have been duly recognised by the electoral umpire, which is very important.
“Nigerians have known that Turaki and his friends are just noisemakers. Let them continue. There is a Hausa adage that describes that when a local barber is about to finish, that is when it pains most.
The Turaki faction, however, argued that the recognition of candidates was ultimately an administrative matter, noting that some aspirants who were initially not acknowledged by the electoral commission had since had their names reflected on the portal.
The spokesperson, Ememobong, further maintained that they remained focused on a long-term political strategy rather than immediate gains, expressing confidence that ongoing disputes within the party would eventually be resolved.
Ememobong also dismissed claims that uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership crisis discouraged participation in its nomination process, contending that many aspirants purchased forms because they were convinced they would ultimately fly the PDP’s flag in future elections.
