2027: PDP crisis deepens as Wike, Turaki factions clash over INEC access code, nomination forms

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated as the faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction exchanged accusations over rival Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms, conflicting candidates’ lists, and the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Wike-backed faction, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed the activities of the Turaki faction, insisting they would have no impact on the PDP’s electoral prospects in 2027.

Mohammed described the rival faction’s actions as fraudulent, saying their claims would ultimately fail.

“We are not concerned one bit about what these people are doing, and we will not be concerned. Whatever they are doing will not, in any way, affect the chances of the PDP at the polls come 2027.

“We have consistently maintained that lies and propaganda have expiry dates. This one is just like the convention they held, which we told the whole world could not stand and did not stand.

“So, all of these they are doing is best described as the very many faces of 419, fraud. Nigerians are now aware and have become aware of their 419,” he said.

Dispute over INEC nomination forms

The latest disagreement follows the emergence of rival nomination forms and candidates’ lists issued by both factions.

The Supreme Court, in a split decision delivered on April 30, nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, which produced the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership.

Following the judgment, the party’s Board of Trustees, chaired by Adolphus Wabara, reappointed Turaki and other members into an Interim National Working Committee.

However, the PDP leadership recognised by INEC, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, continued the sale of nomination forms and was granted access codes to upload candidates for the elections.

Despite lacking INEC recognition and access codes, the Turaki-led faction also issued nomination forms to aspirants.

Mohammed challenged INEC to verify the authenticity of the nomination forms displayed by the rival faction and prosecute anyone found to have forged official documents.

“If truly those documents emanated from INEC, INEC should be in the best position to answer that because we are not the manufacturers of the INEC nomination forms.

“But if they did not emanate from them, then criminal proceedings should be initiated.

“Besides, when they fill these forms, where will they take them to? How would they upload them? Do they have access codes to upload their information? It’s just 419, purely 419,” he added.

Turaki faction responds

Reacting to the allegations, the Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, rejected claims that the faction’s nomination forms were fake.

He maintained that only INEC could determine the authenticity of the documents.

“The access code is not an issue; at the right time INEC will do the needful. If they claim that the forms are fake, it doesn’t lie in their mouth to say so.

“The law is clear that only the maker of a document can determine its authenticity. We are busy with very serious things, including candidate preparations. We are also handling cases in court, so we are too busy to join issues with them,” Ememobong said.

He acknowledged that the internal crisis had affected the party but insisted that his faction was carefully managing the situation.

“The negative impact is already there. But in every battle, it is not just what you go through; it is how you go through it. We are carefully navigating all the landmines, and, at the end, the end will justify the means,” he said.

Ememobong also disclosed that three major cases involving the leadership dispute are currently before the courts, expressing confidence that the rulings would favour the Turaki-led factistron

“We are not going to back down from this. We are clearly on the path of the law, and the facts are aligned with us,” he stated.

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