State Congress: Fresh Crisis Erupts In Taraba PDP

A fresh leadership crisis has erupted in the Taraba State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the emergence of parallel state executives at the party’s congress held on Saturday in Jalingo, the state capital.

The parallel PDP executives, which emerged last Saturday, are loyal to the camp of the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

The congress was however monitored by security operatives who maintained law and order throughout the exercises.

Trouble began during the congress, when Dr. Victor Fallack, the chairman of the PDP State Caretaker Committee, announced himself as the new state chairman of the party and released a list of state executives.

The PDP National Secretariat had on February 24, 2026, constituted a caretaker committee, chaired by Dr. Fallack, to oversee the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses in the state.

However, some members of the caretaker committee rejected the move and distanced themselves from Falack’s list, and declared their support for the leadership that emerged from the congress, headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Saleh.

The dissenting members, in a press statement issued in Jalingo, accused Fallack of unilaterally releasing the list without their consent or consultation with other members of the committee.

Those who signed the statement included, Hon. Terna Anzamber – Donga, Mr. Hikon Hosea from Wukari, Mal Hamisu Maigari Gassol from Gassol local government, Mr. Zubulun Dauda Hamman – Karim-Lamido and Yakubu Balutu – Karim-Lamido local government, Hauwa Adam Imam – Jalingo, Ali Musa from – Takum, and Hon. Polycarp Apura from Ussa/Yangtu Special Development Area.

“We wish to reiterate that we are in support of the new state leadership that emerged from the state congress headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Saleh,” the statement said.

The group warned that Fallack’s action could further aggravate the already tense political atmosphere within the party.

The PDP in Taraba has in recent weeks been grappling with internal disagreements over the conduct and outcome of its congresses, with different factions claiming legitimacy.

Members of the committee noted that the caretaker body successfully conducted ward and local government congresses before the state congress scheduled for March 14, 2026.

They explained that political tensions heightened after a Court of Appeal judgment, which reportedly triggered the influx of new political actors and stakeholders into the party ahead of the state congress.

According to them, efforts were made to ensure inclusiveness and fairness in the leadership structure by accommodating both old and new members of the party.

“As major contenders for the governorship position in the party had begun indicating interest through their actions, there was the need to ensure balance in terms of zoning and religious diversity,” the statement added.

The members said, consultations among stakeholders led to a consensus to zone the position of state chairman to a Muslim candidate, while other executive positions were distributed to reflect political balance across the state.

They alleged that, despite the agreement reached, Fallack later released another list of executives outside the agreed framework.

“We saw his action as capable of breaching the peace, but we thank God that the overwhelming majority of members stood their ground,” the statement added.

The group further distanced itself from the list allegedly circulated by Fallack and insisted that they recognise only the leadership produced by the congress led by Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Saleh.

The group also commended delegates for their orderly conduct during the ward, local government and state congresses.

They added that their clarification was necessary to prevent misinformation and safeguard unity and stability within the party in Taraba State.