The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worsened as the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction exchanged accusations over rival INEC nomination forms, conflicting candidates’ lists and the legitimacy of their party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fresh divisions have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions intensified their battle for legitimacy following the commencement of candidate submissions for the 2027 general elections. The disagreement centres on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms, access to the commission’s candidate upload portal and the authenticity of candidates produced by each camp.
The Wike-backed National Working Committee (NWC) insisted it is the only leadership recognised by INEC and therefore the only body authorised to conduct primaries, issue nomination forms and upload candidates to the commission’s portal.
Speaking on behalf of the faction, PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed dismissed the activities of the rival camp, describing its claims as baseless and urging INEC to investigate any nomination forms allegedly issued outside the recognised party structure if they are found to be forged.
However, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee rejected the allegations, insisting that its leadership derives legitimacy from court decisions and internal party resolutions. Its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, maintained that only INEC could determine the authenticity of any nomination documents being circulated.
The latest dispute follows months of leadership uncertainty within the PDP after a series of court rulings triggered competing interpretations over the party’s national leadership.
While INEC has continued to recognise the leadership aligned with the Wike-backed NWC for administrative purposes, the Turaki faction insists that such recognition does not resolve the underlying legal dispute over control of the party.
The disagreement has now extended beyond leadership to the nomination process, with both camps claiming to have produced valid candidates for the 2027 elections.
The Wike-backed leadership argued that only candidates uploaded through the official INEC portal would ultimately be recognised for the elections, stressing that access to the commission’s upload code validates its authority.
On the other hand, the Turaki faction vowed not to abandon its parallel political activities, insisting it would continue defending what it described as the lawful structure of the PDP despite the ongoing disagreement.
With the candidate submission process now underway, the renewed confrontation has further exposed the deep divisions within one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties. Political observers believe the dispute could significantly affect the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 general elections unless a political or judicial resolution is reached in the coming months.