Turaki PDP faction protests INEC access code to Wike camp

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister Tanimu Turaki has protested the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) decision to grant the party's candidate nomination upload code for the 2027 general elections to the National Working Committee (NWC) aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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INEC had provided the access code for uploading the party’s 2027 candidates to the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, describing the move as further validation of the NWC’s legitimacy.

The PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed that INEC provided the access code to the NWC led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, viewing it as validation of their legitimacy. However, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Turaki-led faction, described INEC's recognition as merely administrative. Ememobong argued that the electoral body would still recognize their faction and upload its candidates, pointing to INEC's handling of candidate submissions in Ekiti and Osun states as precedents.

The PDP's internal dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling on April 30, which nullified the party's national convention held in November. This convention, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had produced the Turaki-led leadership. Following the judgment, the Board of Trustees reappointed Turaki and other members to an Interim National Working Committee.

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INEC’s recognition was merely administrative. He argued that the electoral body would still recognise their faction and upload its candidates regardless of who holds the code, citing the commission’s handling of candidate submissions in Ekiti State and Osun State as examples.

Despite the court ruling, the PDP faction led by Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu has proceeded with selling expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 elections, with their activities monitored by INEC. The Turaki faction has maintained its parallel structure, issuing nomination forms to prospective candidates without INEC recognition or monitoring.

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Unfortunately for them, lies have an expiry date, and 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.

PDP Publicity Secretary Mohammed reiterated the importance of INEC's recognition, stating that the Turaki group has misled its supporters. He emphasized that INEC's issuance of the codes signifies official recognition and dismissed the opposing faction as "noisemakers" who are in pain because they are losing on all fronts.

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Nigerians have known that Turaki and his friends are just noisemakers. Let them continue. There is a Hausa adage that describes that when a local barber is about to finish, that is when it pains most. It is time that everything will finally be open for the general public to see; that is why it is paining them the most. They are losing on all fronts, and that is why they are pushi