PDP crisis: Turaki rallies governorship candidates, vows to fight back against interference

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki has vowed to resist attempts to undermine its leadership, insisting that the party will overcome its internal challenges and remain a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Turaki made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of PDP governorship candidates led by Sunday Biggs, the party’s candidate in Plateau State and chairman of the governorship candidates’ forum.

He described the PDP as Nigeria’s only surviving legacy political party, expressing confidence that ongoing efforts to weaken its structure would not succeed.

Turaki maintained that the party would not surrender its identity and future to individuals or groups he accused of promoting undemocratic practices.

He said the faction had continued to receive messages of solidarity from founding members, former party leaders, members of the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders following recent legal setbacks.

The PDP factional chairman also disclosed that its interim National Working Committee had directed its legal team to examine the November 4 Court of Appeal judgment and advise on the next course of action.

The appellate court had dismissed an appeal seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee.

INEC currently recognises the rival PDP faction backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, deepening the leadership dispute within the opposition party.

Despite the legal uncertainty, Turaki expressed optimism that the faction would overcome the challenges and secure a place for its candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Biggs reaffirmed the governorship candidates’ loyalty to the Turaki-led leadership and urged it to intensify efforts towards strengthening the party.

He also called for an urgent and properly coordinated appeal to the Supreme Court, stressing the need for sound legal preparation.

Biggs further advocated reconciliation and constructive engagement among aggrieved members, alongside improved communication to address misinformation and uncertainty within the party.

The delegation included governorship candidates from Kwara, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa and Borno states.

The development comes amid a prolonged leadership struggle within the PDP, with rival factions battling for control of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.