The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as rival factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership exchanged accusations over the issuance of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms, conflicting candidates’ lists, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The latest disagreement highlights the lingering leadership dispute within the opposition party, with both camps insisting they are the legitimate authority responsible for overseeing the PDP’s electoral activities.

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The National Publicity Secretary of the Wike-backed faction, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed the activities of the Turaki-led group, insisting they pose no threat to the PDP’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 polls.

According to Mohammed, the rival faction’s actions lack legitimacy and will ultimately have no impact on the party’s participation in future elections.

He accused the Turaki faction of misleading party members and the public, describing its activities as fraudulent and arguing that previous claims made by the group had failed to withstand legal scrutiny.

Mohammed maintained that the recognised PDP leadership would continue its preparations for the elections without being distracted by what he termed propaganda from the rival camp.

The renewed controversy followed the circulation of rival nomination forms and separate candidates’ lists by both factions.

The leadership dispute dates back to the Supreme Court’s split judgment of April 30, which nullified the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025 that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.

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

However, the leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), headed by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, continued the sale of nomination forms and reportedly retained access to the commission’s candidate upload portal.

Despite lacking official recognition from INEC, the Turaki faction also issued nomination forms to aspirants, further fueling confusion within the party.

Mohammed challenged INEC to verify the authenticity of the forms being circulated by the rival faction, arguing that anyone found to have forged official electoral documents should face prosecution.

He questioned how the rival camp intended to submit candidates without access to INEC’s official upload system, insisting that only the commission could validate candidates for the elections.

Responding to the accusations, the Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, rejected claims that the nomination forms issued by his faction were fake.

He argued that only INEC, as the issuing authority, has the legal responsibility to determine whether any document is genuine or otherwise.

Ememobong also downplayed concerns over access codes for uploading candidates, expressing confidence that the necessary administrative processes would be addressed at the appropriate time.

According to him, his faction remains focused on candidate preparations and ongoing legal battles rather than engaging in public exchanges with the opposing camp.

While acknowledging that the prolonged leadership dispute has negatively affected the PDP, Ememobong said the faction was carefully managing the challenges and remained optimistic about the future.

He disclosed that three major court cases relating to the party’s leadership and internal affairs are still pending, expressing confidence that the judiciary would ultimately resolve the dispute in favour of the Turaki-led leadership.

The latest exchange underscores the continuing divisions within the PDP as both factions pursue parallel political activities, with the outcome of pending court cases expected to play a significant role in determining the party’s leadership and preparations for the 2027 general elections.