Wike’s allies accuse rival PDP faction of trying to stop convention
Nyesom Wike’s camp within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused a governor-backed group led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of attempting to sabotage the party’s upcoming national convention. The Wike-supported faction insists that judicial rulings have affirmed their legitimacy and that the convention will proceed as planned. Meanwhile, the Turaki camp denies the allegations, calling them blackmail and expressing hope for reconciliation. Both sides have faced legal battles and leadership disputes, with court judgments impacting the party’s preparations.
Key takeaways
- The Wike-backed PDP faction claims the Turaki-led group is seeking a court injunction to halt the national convention scheduled for March 29–30, 2026.
- Judicial rulings, including a March 9 Court of Appeal judgment, have affirmed the legitimacy of the Wike-aligned National Caretaker Working Committee and nullified the Ibadan convention held on November 15–16.
- The Turaki camp denies trying to stop the convention, labeling the accusations as blackmail and reiterating their commitment to reconciliation.
- Both factions have set up parallel leadership structures, with the Wike group forming a Caretaker Committee on December 8 and the Turaki group taking over after a handover on December 9.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognize either faction, leading to ongoing legal disputes as the 2027 general elections approach.
