PDP Elders Warn Wike-led Faction Against Interfering In Taraba Affairs

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Forum in Taraba State, Elder John Mamman, has warned members of the faction associated with former Rivers State governor, and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to steer clear of the party’s affairs in the state.

Elder Mamman said any action taken contrary to the outcome of the party’s national convention, pending the decision of the Appeal Court, would amount to an invitation to crisis.

The Forum chairman, who was reacting to the reported invasion of the Taraba State PDP secretariat by Mr. Victor Falaka, alleged to be aligned with the Wike-led faction, described the incident as disrespectful to the people of Taraba State.

Elder Mamman, then cautioned against attempts to create parallel party structures or conduct unauthorized primaries at the state or local government levels.

“Anyone who goes round the local governments claiming to conduct primaries or carry out party activities while we await the Appeal Court’s decision is inviting trouble. We advise them, in their own interest, to desist,” he added.

He congratulated the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on the court ruling that validated the PDP national convention, held in Ibadan, but condemned the forceful attempt to take over the state PDP secretariat.

“In Taraba, we have never operated with factions. If anyone disagrees fundamentally with the leadership, the appropriate step is to resign from the party rather than create parallel structures,” he stated.

He emphasised that the PDP remains the dominant political force in Taraba State, and dismissed claims that the recent defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had weakened the party’s structure in the state.

“The movement of some elected officials to the APC does not translate to a shift in the loyalty of the people. The majority of ordinary Tarabans still stand with the PDP,” he added.

He appealed for calm and urged all party members to respect established structures and to be law abiding to constituted authority, while awaiting the final outcome of ongoing legal processes.