RismadarVoice Reporters
November 7, 2026
The factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has vowed that the opposition party will survive its leadership crisis despite a recent Court of Appeal judgment rejecting his faction’s bid for recognition.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja when members of the PDP Forum of Governorship Candidates visited the faction’s Interim National Working Committee (INWC) to express solidarity.
He accused unnamed political interests of attempting to weaken the party but insisted that its leadership would remain committed to resolving the crisis.
The development followed Wednesday’s judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and seven others seeking recognition of the Turaki-led interim leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A three-member panel presided over by Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu upheld an earlier Federal High Court decision declining to compel INEC to recognise the faction.
The appellate court also upheld ₦70 million in costs previously imposed on the appellants and awarded an additional ₦15 million in costs.
Reacting to the judgment, Turaki said the faction had instructed its legal team to review the decision and pursue available legal remedies, including an appeal to the Supreme Court.
He maintained that the party’s survival remained the priority and expressed confidence that its members would overcome the internal disagreements.
Turaki also argued that the faction had conducted its candidate selection processes in accordance with electoral requirements and submitted relevant particulars to INEC.
However, his assertion that the commission was obligated to publish the candidates’ names remains part of the disputed legal issues and does not constitute a judicial determination in the faction’s favour.
He assured the governorship candidates that efforts would continue to secure the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, Chairman of the PDP Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, Sunday Biggs, urged the interim leadership to intensify reconciliation efforts and strengthen communication with members nationwide.
Biggs called for urgent legal action, grassroots engagement and a comprehensive strategy to rebuild confidence within the party.
He also encouraged party leaders to respect judicial processes and prioritise collective interests over internal disagreements.
The faction’s leadership crisis remains unresolved, with further legal proceedings potentially determining its recognition and electoral participation.
