2027: Turaki-PDP Kicks As INEC Gives Wike Camp Access Code To Upload Party Candidates
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the faction loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant access codes for uploading the party’s 2027 election candidates to the leadership aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development followed confirmation by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, that INEC had issued the nomination upload code to the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, a move he described as further proof of the committee’s legitimacy.
Reacting, the spokesperson of the Turaki-led faction, Ini Ememobong, dismissed the significance of the decision, insisting that INEC’s recognition was merely an administrative process and would not determine the eventual fate of the party’s candidates.
“We have not been given any code. But when we finished our primaries in Ekiti, we had our candidates. When we finished primaries in Osun, our candidates were recognised. So, if they have the code, what are they afraid of?” Ememobong said.
He maintained that the faction remained confident its candidates would eventually be recognised by the electoral commission despite not currently controlling the upload portal.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We are not worried because, in the end, our candidates will be uploaded as PDP candidates,” he added.
The dispute is the latest chapter in the PDP’s lingering leadership crisis, which deepened after a Supreme Court judgment nullified the party’s Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership. Despite the ruling and INEC’s continued recognition of the Wike-backed leadership, the Turaki faction has continued to operate a parallel structure and conduct its own nomination processes.
Defending the party leadership recognised by INEC, Mohammed said the commission’s decision had effectively settled questions about legitimacy.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the Turaki camp’s activities pose no threat to the recognised PDP leadership.
“The activities of Turaki and others are not affecting our operations in any way. The facts are very clear,” Mohammed stated.
On the delay in releasing the list of candidates, the PDP spokesman explained that appeals arising from the party’s primaries were still being considered.
“Appeals are part of the electoral process. As soon as the appeals process is concluded and INEC ratifies the names of the elected candidates, we will make them public,” he added.
Despite the disagreement, the Turaki faction insists it remains focused on a long-term strategy and is confident that the ongoing disputes within the party will eventually be resolved in its favour.