PDP crisis deepens as Wike camp, Turaki group trade sabotage allegations over convention

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with allies of Nyesom Wike accusing a governors-backed faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of plotting to derail the party’s planned national convention later this month.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Wike-backed National Caretaker Working Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, insisted that the convention scheduled for March 29–30, 2026, would proceed despite what he described as alleged attempts to frustrate the process through legal means.

He said, “Let it be clearly stated that the position of the courts on the leadership of the PDP remains unequivocal. The judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have affirmed the legitimacy and authority of the National Caretaker Working Committee as the body duly recognised to steer the affairs of the party at this time.

“These judicial pronouncements are binding and remain in full force. We, therefore, urge all members of our party and the general public to be guided accordingly and disregard any contrary claims or misleading narratives.”

Mohammed further alleged that the Turaki-led faction was making moves to halt the convention through the courts. “It is, however, deeply concerning that certain individuals have continued to take steps aimed at undermining the stability and progress of our party. We are aware of moves by this group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, to approach courts in Ibadan in a bid to secure an injunction to halt the forthcoming national convention,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that reconciliation efforts had allegedly been ignored, adding, “This is particularly unfortunate given that the leadership of the party had, in good faith, extended several invitations and opportunities for reconciliation and dialogue. Regrettably, these overtures were ignored, as the said faction failed to present itself for meaningful engagement.”

Reaffirming the stance of the Wike-aligned camp, Mohammed stressed that the party would not allow internal disagreements to derail its plans. “However, we will not allow the collective interest of our party to be derailed by actions that are clearly at variance with these principles,” he added.

He also called on the judiciary to take note of what he described as alleged abuse of court processes. “In this regard, we respectfully call on the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the State Chief Judge to take judicial notice of these attempts to abuse court processes and to frustrate the legitimate activities of our party.

“We reaffirm our confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and trust that justice will continue to be served in accordance with the law.”

Mohammed maintained that preparations for the convention were complete. “Furthermore, we wish to categorically assure all Nigerians, particularly our members across the country, that the national convention of our great party, scheduled for the 29th and 30th of March 2026, will proceed as planned. All necessary arrangements have been concluded, and the party is fully prepared to deliver a successful, transparent, and credible convention.”

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However, the governors-backed Turaki faction dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless and a form of blackmail. Reacting, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the claims were misleading.

“It is sad that people who we thought should behave like gentlemen are still living in the mud. The world would bear witness that from the day we took a decision for reconciliation, we backpedaled on everything,” he said.

He added that efforts had been made to engage the Wike camp in dialogue. “We have been in touch with them, and at first they said, ‘Oh, let’s wait for Ramadan to finish,’ and all of that. But they came up with something different.”

Ememobong accused the opposing faction of escalating tensions through public statements. “The only set of people who are weaponizing communication and still behaving as if reconciliation is not on the table are their people. What they are clearly doing is blackmail.”

He also questioned the basis of the alleged legal move. “If they know where the injunction is to be gotten from, they should ask themselves if they are doing the right and proper thing. It means that for them to know of a case that is yet to be instituted, it means they are the ones who are going to file the case.”

Maintaining that his camp was unaware of any plot to halt the convention, Ememobong expressed optimism that reconciliation could still be achieved. “So we are still hopeful that the reconciliation will work. We don’t know what they are talking about. They should, rather than spend time and energy inaugurating convention committees, make themselves available for discussion.”

The renewed exchange highlights the deepening divisions within the PDP, despite earlier intervention by governors who had backed the Ibadan convention that produced Turaki and other National Working Committee members. With both factions laying claim to legitimacy and the Independent National Electoral Commission yet to recognise either side, the crisis continues to cast uncertainty over the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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