2027: PDP Will Overcome Leadership Crisis – Turaki

Factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has expressed confidence that the party will overcome its lingering leadership crisis and win the 2027 general elections.

Turaki said the party would not succumb to what he described as attempts by undemocratic forces to undermine its existence, insisting that the PDP remained a formidable political platform with the capacity to reclaim its electoral strength.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja when the Forum of Governorship Candidates of the Turaki-led faction, led by its chairman, Hon Sunday Biggs, paid a solidarity visit to the faction’s Interim National Working Committee.

The PDP factional chairman said the party was determined to survive its current challenges, adding that its candidates would eventually appear on the ballot for the 2027 elections.

“Meanwhile, I want to assure your excellencies and indeed your other colleagues who are not here, and through you also, to assure other candidates that there is indeed going to be a bright sunny day at the end of the tournament.

“This struggle will continue. We are hopeful that we will win and we are hopeful that after winning, PDP candidates shall be on the ballot.

“And as soon as we are on the ballot, I want to assure you that Nigerians are waiting for us. We shall be winning the 2027 elections by the special grace of God,” he said.

Turaki disclosed that the party had directed its legal team to examine the recent Court of Appeal judgment on its leadership crisis and advise on the next line of action, including the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court.

He also insisted that the party’s Board of Trustees was seeking an interpretation of existing court judgments rather than instituting a fresh case, arguing that the combined effect of previous judgments supported the legitimacy of the faction’s leadership.

On the party’s candidates, Turaki maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was obligated to display their names on its portal, having received their particulars following the party’s nomination processes.

Earlier, chairman of the Forum of Governorship Candidates, Sunday Biggs, reaffirmed the candidates’ commitment to the survival and success of the PDP, urging the factional leadership to remain focused and pursue the Supreme Court appeal with urgency and proper legal preparation.

Biggs also called for a broader reconciliation platform to engage aggrieved members, regular communication with party stakeholders and a comprehensive political strategy to strengthen the party at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the governorship candidates were ready to contribute towards rebuilding the PDP into a stronger, more united and electorally competitive political institution.

Other candidates at the meeting included Ladi Hassan (Kwara), Joel Danlami (Taraba), Caleb Andrew Myebangara (Adamawa), Isah Muqaddam (Gombe), Lawal Umar (Kaduna), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kebbi) and Yakubu Mu’azu (Jigawa).