Following the recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the other faction’s Interim National Working Committee (INWC) led by Tanimu Turaki has commenced consultations with stakeholders on the way forward.
A top party source told Daily Trust that the faction is considering an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The source said the move followed growing concerns among party members over the fate of the faction’s candidates after last week’s Federal High Court judgment in a suit filed by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since its disputed 15th and 16th National Convention held in Ibadan, which resulted in the emergence of two rival factions—one led by Turaki and the other by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is backed by Wike.
Following the Supreme Court judgement nullifying the convention, INEC recognised the faction led by Abdulrahman.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the electoral commission granted the Abdulrahman-led leadership access to its candidate nomination portal. The faction also retains control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Dissatisfied with the development, the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, approached the court, seeking recognition of the Turaki-led INWC instead of the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee.
However, on Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, upheld the defendants’ preliminary objection and struck out the suit.
The court held that the dispute centred on the leadership of the PDP, which is an internal affair of the party and therefore outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Reacting to the judgement, the faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said the group had resolved to appeal the decision.
A source close to the faction said discussions were ongoing on the possibility of contesting the elections through an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement.
“The party under Turaki is planning an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), at least for this election.
“Time is running out. Once INEC closes its portal, that will be all for this election cycle. So they are looking at alternatives, and one of them is the APM,” the source said.
PDP’ll be on the ballot — Turaki
Meanwhile, addressing party stakeholders in Abuja on Thursday, Turaki insisted that his faction would participate fully in the 2027 general elections despite the leadership crisis.
The meeting was attended by members of the INWC, the Board of Trustees, state chairmen, candidates for the 2027 elections and other stakeholders.
Turaki said the PDP had survived similar crises in the past and would overcome its current challenges.
“There may be challenges here and there regarding the leadership of our party. Again, for us in the PDP, this is nothing new. We will overcome. We shall overcome. We are overcoming,” he said.
He maintAained that no individual or group could destroy the PDP.
“Nobody, and I dare say, nobody can kill the PDP. The PDP will continue to live,” he declared.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Turaki said it was convened to brief stakeholders on recent developments concerning the party’s leadership.
“Last Friday, a matter instituted by our Board of Trustees came up for judgment. Unfortunately, the Interim National Working Committee has not been able to officially respond because many of us were out of the country or out of town.
“We intend, in this meeting, to carefully examine that judgement so that this leadership and the stakeholders gathered here will understand where we stand and agree on the way forward. During our private session, we will also discuss our strategies in detail.”
He added that the primary objective of every political party is to win power through elections.
“You cannot capture power unless you are on the ballot. I want to assure you that the PDP shall be on the ballot in all categories of the 2027 general elections—from the presidential election down to the State Houses of Assembly elections. This PDP shall be on the ballot.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Babangida Aliyu, urged stakeholders to openly express their concerns and suggestions.
“Please feel free today to air your fears, your concerns, your constructive criticism and your suggestions so that we can arrive at a logical conclusion on the next line of action,” he said.
News Credit to our media partner DailyTrust Home .
