PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Wike, Turaki Camp Clash Over Party Legitimacy
PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Wike, Turaki Camp Clash Over Party Legitimacy
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Wednesday as the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, exchanged strong words with the faction led by former Minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, over the legitimate leadership of the opposition party.
Wike, who supports the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), insisted that the faction remains the legally recognised leadership of the PDP despite ongoing disputes within the party. During a media chat in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor challenged the Turaki-led camp to publicly operate official PDP structures if they truly believe they control the party.
The FCT minister warned that any attempt by the rival faction to open offices or bank accounts in the name of the PDP without legal backing would face consequences, maintaining that court judgments had already clarified the party’s leadership structure.
Reacting to Wike’s remarks, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) accused the minister of making inflammatory statements and insisted that its leadership remained legitimate pending the release of the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment. The faction also claimed that party activities, including preparations for future primaries and conventions, were ongoing under its leadership.
The lingering leadership battle within the PDP has continued to create divisions among key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections, with rival factions interpreting court rulings differently while struggling for control of the party’s national structure.
