PDP: Wike, Turaki Camps Trade Fresh Barbs

The feuding camps within the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) renewed their supremacy battle yesterday, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, dared the Tanimu Turaki-led camp to visit the party’s national secretariat if it truly claims to be in charge.

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Wike, a former Rivers State governor, stated this during his camp’s 108th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

However, in a response, the Turaki-led faction told LEADERSHIP that it is not perturbed by what it described as “childish rants.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki camp, Ini Ememobong, said they are focused on strengthening the party to play the role of a strong opposition.

The fresh back-and-forth between the camps comes barely 72 hours to a Supreme Court judgement which will determine the legitimate leadership of the party.

The party’s national secretariat, popularly called Wadata Plaza, was sealed by the police in November last year after the two camps clashed at the premises.

The police, however, unsealed the premises for the Wike-backed group after its national convention last month, an action criticised by the Turaki camp, which insisted the sealing of the party’s premises remains a pending matter in court.

The NEC meeting of the Wike-backed PDP is the first party meeting since the premises was sealed by the police last year.

Wike Dares Turaki

Wike, who is regarded as the national leader of his faction, commended the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed for securing the PDP headquarters for members.

The FCT minister said, “What shows that you are the authentic PDP is because you are holding your meeting at the national secretariat.

“If there is any other PDP, let them come to the national secretariat and hold their own meeting.

“So I want to sincerely thank you for that bold step you took. Instead of us hiring hotels and other venues, you made sure that we reclaimed our national secretariat. I thank you and members of your team.”

He urged members to remain committed to the party, encouraging them to stay strong despite challenges.

“I thank God we have had our period of crisis. Now we are together to make sure this party moves forward. I want to commend all of you, the leaders, for being faithful and committed. In fact, despite all the temptation to abandon your party, you said no and chose to remain. I want to thank all of you. That shows loyalty and a desire to remain members of this party.”

He, however, urged the party leadership to ensure reconciliation with estranged members.

“So let us not say that those who have defected should go. No. Chairman and your team, make sure you set up a strong committee to reach out to those who have defected, and whatever is due to them, they should still receive it.”

Wike said many may have defected due to uncertainty over who would sign documents to be presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“So most people will definitely seek where they can find succour. But now, if you go and talk to them, I believe they will reconsider and continue to support this party.”

On the Supreme Court case, he said, “Let us also assure those of you who have said the matter is before the court. I believe our lawyers are doing great work, and I want to leave it to them. We are confident they are doing well. God, who has led us this far, will never abandon us. If God wanted to abandon us, we would not have started winning.”

Turaki Responds

Reacting, Ememobong dismissed Wike’s comments and recounted what transpired last year when both camps clashed at the party’s secretariat.

“The day we met at the secretariat, he clearly hid himself among the security personnel,” he said.

He added that they are more concerned with holding the incumbent government accountable than being distracted by the actions of the Wike-backed camp.

“Such childish rants do not perturb us. We are concentrating on strengthening our party to play the role of a strong opposition capable of taking over government,” Ememobong said.

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed NEC said it has formally adopted the timetable for the 2027 primaries.

The meeting, according to its communiqué, deliberated on the aftermath of the party’s national convention and prevailing political developments within its structures.

The communiqué was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, on April 20, 2026.

The NEC commended the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), led by Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, applauding what it described as “dedication and proactive efforts in stabilising the party since the convention.”

It added that it has “full confidence in the NWC’s ability to lead the party to greater unity and electoral success.”

Addressing internal tensions, the party dismissed suggestions of crisis within its ranks, declaring that “the party is not in distress” and that “the era of uncertainty is over.” The NEC emphasised the need for reconciliation and urged members to resolve disputes through established party mechanisms.

On reforms, the committee endorsed the ongoing electronic membership registration, noting that the initiative would “modernise the party’s database, enhance transparency, and boost grassroots participation.”

A major outcome of the meeting was the formal adoption of the timetable for the 2027 primaries. NEC confirmed it had “adopted the timetable and schedule for party primaries, including Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms”, while directing strict adherence to electoral guidelines.

The communiqué stressed that “all organs and stakeholders” must begin immediate preparations for state primaries in line with the approved schedule, adding that compliance with INEC regulations remains mandatory.

The party also issued a strong call for discipline, urging members to “remain disciplined, loyal, and prioritise the party’s collective interest above personal ambitions.”

Reaffirming its outlook ahead of the next general elections, NEC expressed confidence in the PDP’s prospects, stating that the party remains “well-positioned to reclaim power at all levels in the 2027 general elections.”

We Must Bring All Stakeholders Into Our Fold, Says BoT

Earlier at the same meeting, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, backed by Wike, called for renewed unity within the party, urging leaders and members to embrace inclusiveness and reconciliation as part of efforts to reposition the party for future electoral success.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, stressed that the PDP must make deliberate efforts to accommodate all interests and rebuild internal cohesion.

“At this stage in the life of our party, unity must remain our watchword and our highest priority,” he said. “We must consciously and deliberately bridge divides, reconcile differences, and bring every stakeholder into the fold.”

Ohuabunwa noted that there should be “no room for exclusion”, adding that the party must instead promote “inclusion, understanding and collective progress.”

Reflecting on past challenges, he recalled that the previous meeting of the party ended poorly but expressed satisfaction with the current atmosphere, describing it as more conducive to meaningful engagement.

The BoT chairman also congratulated the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, assuring them of the board’s support.

Ohuabunwa further called for discipline and adherence to due process within party structures, warning that institutional integrity must not be compromised.

“The supremacy of our constitution must be upheld at all times. Due process must guide our actions, and institutional integrity must never be sacrificed for expediency,” he said.

Commending ongoing reforms, he described the electronic membership registration as a step in the right direction towards building “a transparent, accountable and data-driven party structure.”

Looking ahead, Ohuabunwa urged party members to remain focused on consolidation and preparation for future political contests.

“The task before us is clear — to consolidate, to strengthen and to prepare,” he said, adding that members must act with “sincerity, patriotism and a deep sense of responsibility.”