Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, says the party will survive its current leadership crisis despite a recent Court of Appeal judgment against his faction.
Turaki spoke in Abuja on Saturday when the forum of PDP governorship candidates loyal to his Interim National Working Committee paid him a solidarity visit.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had dismissed an appeal by the faction’s Board of Trustees Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and seven others, seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Turaki-led committee.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu, upheld the July judgment of the Federal High Court, which had declined to grant the relief sought.
Reacting, Turaki said the PDP would not surrender to what he described as attempts by undemocratic forces to undermine the party.
He said the party’s leadership remained committed to keeping the PDP alive, adding that it had received messages of support from its founding members, former leaders and other Nigerians concerned about the country’s political situation.
Turaki disclosed that the party had directed its lawyers to study the Court of Appeal judgment and advise on the next legal steps, including the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court.
He also maintained that the Board of Trustees had not instituted a fresh case but had sought clarification on the effect of existing court judgments concerning the party’s leadership and its candidates for the 2027 elections.
According to him, INEC had already received the particulars of the party’s candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections.
Turaki argued that the commission should publish their names on its portal as the party’s candidates, insisting that the legal process was aimed at securing clarity on the status of the candidates.
He expressed confidence that the party would overcome the dispute and that its candidates would eventually participate in the 2027 elections.
Earlier, Chairman of the forum of governorship candidates, Sunday Biggs, urged the Interim National Working Committee to intensify efforts towards reconciliation, particularly at the grassroots.
Biggs also called for an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court, regular communication with party members and a broader engagement platform to address grievances within the party.
He assured the Turaki-led committee of the candidates’ support, saying they remained committed to rebuilding the PDP and strengthening its internal unity.
