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Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State have dismissed claims that the party faces possible delisting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the reports as false, misleading and politically motivated.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Jalingo on Thursday, the chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Dr Falack Victor, said the party remains “alive, strong and viable” and will participate fully in forthcoming elections.
Victor alleged that rumours suggesting INEC could deregister the party over internal crises had caused confusion among members, particularly those in rural communities, some of whom, he said, defected to other political parties based on the misinformation.
“The PDP will not be delisted by INEC. The party remains the strongest political platform in Taraba State with the widest grassroots spread,” he declared.
The chairman also reacted to a February 24, 2026, press statement issued by the dissolved PDP State Working Committee, which rejected the appointment of the caretaker committee and described it as unauthorised.
Victor maintained that the National Caretaker Committee led by Alhaji Abdulraman Mohammed is the only lawful body recognised to manage the affairs of the party nationwide. He argued that portraying the national body as unconstitutional was not only misleading but capable of creating unnecessary tension within party ranks.
According to him, the National Caretaker Committee dissolved State Working Committees in 14 states, including Taraba, in December 2025. This decision, he said, led to the constitution of a new caretaker structure in the state under his leadership.
Victor referenced a January 30, 2026, judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan delivered by Justice U.N. Agomoh, which nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The court ruled that all decisions taken at the convention were invalid and held that a caretaker committee set up following the expiration of the previous national officers’ tenure in December 2025 was the only lawful body authorised to run the party’s affairs pending a valid convention. The judgment also directed INEC to recognise only the caretaker committee in its dealings with the PDP.
Victor stated that INEC has complied with the directive and warned that any group parading itself as party officials outside the recognised caretaker structure is acting in breach of the law.
The Taraba PDP chairman urged members of the dissolved State Working Committee to vacate the party’s state secretariat, warning that continued occupation would amount to illegality.
He also appealed to members who resigned from the party due to the delisting rumours to return, stressing the need for unity and reconciliation.
“The deliberate fractionalisation of the PDP in Taraba State must stop,” Victor said. “We must come together and rebuild the party.”
He further cautioned against attempts by non-party members to influence or control the party’s structure in the state for personal interests.
Victor reaffirmed his loyalty to the party’s national leadership and expressed appreciation to members across Taraba State for their continued support, pledging that the caretaker committee would work to strengthen and reposition the PDP ahead of future political contests.
Taraba PDP dismisses delisting claims, insists party remains lawful, united
