PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike Challenges Rival Faction Over INEC Recognition

The internal battle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Thursday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, openly challenged the rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki, declaring that the forthcoming release of access codes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would reveal the party's legitimate leadership.

Speaking at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Wike insisted that June 26 would be a defining moment in the PDP leadership tussle, as INEC begins issuing access codes to registered political parties for the upload of candidates’ nomination forms.

According to him, whichever faction receives the access code from the electoral body would effectively be recognised as the authentic PDP leadership.

“June 26 is around the corner. Let us see who INEC will give the access code to upload nominated candidates. Some people collected forms from the wrong place. This is the authentic place to obtain forms. Let us wait and see what happens,” Wike declared.

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed the Turaki-led faction, claiming it operates from a hotel, while the recognised PDP structure functions from the party’s official national secretariat.

He commended party members for conducting what he described as a successful primary election but took a swipe at certain politicians he labelled “food-is-ready politicians,” accusing them of opportunism.

The remarks came shortly after the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee announced that it had successfully validated candidates contesting elections on the PDP platform and completed nominations across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing party faithful, Turaki warned candidates against defecting after securing PDP tickets, insisting that future nominees would be required to sign binding undertakings pledging loyalty to the party.

“Nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it. Before your name is submitted to INEC, you will sign an undertaking. What happened in the past will not happen again,” he said.

In a major political declaration, the faction also unveiled former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The National Organising Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, confirmed the nomination, stating that Jonathan had completed all necessary documentation and had been formally endorsed by the faction.

“We have a presidential candidate who bought the forms, signed them and was nominated by the party. That candidate is former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Shan announced.

Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned PDP leadership has dismissed growing speculation that the FCT minister may be preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Responding to recent comments by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the party maintained that Wike remains a committed PDP member despite serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party described Wike as one of its most valuable political assets and likened his role in the APC-led government to a temporary political arrangement rather than a permanent realignment.

“As Professor Yilwatda suggested, Barrister Wike’s engagement with the APC-led administration should be viewed as a political loan arrangement. There is absolutely no provision for a permanent transfer,” the statement said.

The latest exchange underscores the deepening divisions within the PDP as rival factions continue to battle for legitimacy, control of party structures and influence ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.