PDP Gov Candidates Back Turaki-Led NWC, Demand Urgent Supreme Court Appeal

The Forum of Governorship Candidates of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its support for the faction’s leadership, urging it to urgently pursue an appeal at the Supreme Court following the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on the party’s leadership crisis.

The governorship candidates made the call on Saturday during a solidarity visit to the faction’s Interim National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, where they also urged the leadership to intensify efforts towards reconciliation, party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the meeting, Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Sunday Biggs, who represents Plateau State, said the candidates remained committed to the survival and electoral success of the PDP despite the legal and political challenges confronting the party.

He urged the Turaki-led leadership to ensure that the appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment was pursued with urgency, competence and all necessary legal preparations.

Biggs also called for a broader platform for reconciliation and constructive engagement among aggrieved members, while emphasising the need for regular communication with party members to prevent misinformation, speculation and unnecessary anxiety.

He said the party must develop a comprehensive political and organisational strategy to strengthen its structures, particularly at the grassroots, ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We believe in the PDP, we stand with the party, and we are committed to its survival and success,” he said.

Responding, Turaki assured the governorship candidates that the faction would not abandon its legal battle, disclosing that its lawyers had been directed to study the recent Court of Appeal judgment and advise the leadership on the next line of action.

He said the leadership would meet with its legal team immediately after the engagement to review the judgment and determine the appropriate legal steps

.

Turaki also explained the position of the faction on the separate legal proceedings instituted by members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), insisting that the matter was not a fresh suit challenging the leadership of the party.

According to him, the BoT members were seeking an interpretation of the combined effect of previous judgments delivered by the FCT High Court, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court concerning the legitimate leadership of the PDP.

He said the position of the BoT was that the judgments collectively affirmed the legitimacy of the Turaki-led leadership, which had conducted the party’s nomination processes for the 2027 general elections.

Turaki further argued that having received the particulars of the party’s candidates, including its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was under obligation to recognise and display their names on its portal.

“What the Board of Trustees are saying is that having accepted the list of our candidates that emerged through this elaborate process, INEC is under obligation not only to put the names of these leaders on your portal, but also display the names of these candidates as the candidates of PDP for the purpose of the 2027 election,” he said.

He maintained that the party was only seeking an interpretation of existing judicial pronouncements and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would give justice to its grievances should the matter eventually get to the apex court.

The PDP factional chairman also expressed optimism that the party would overcome its leadership crisis and participate successfully in the 2027 general elections.

He urged the governorship candidates and other party stakeholders to remain calm, resolute and prepared, assuring them that the party would eventually overcome its current difficulties.

Turaki described the visit by the governorship candidates as a significant demonstration of solidarity, particularly at a time when the party was facing serious challenges.

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