Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has vowed to continue his struggle to secure recognition for his faction despite a recent setback at the Court of Appeal.
Turaki said his camp remained determined to preserve the opposition party and ensure that its candidates participate in the 2027 general elections.
He spoke on Saturday in Abuja when members of the forum of PDP governorship candidates loyal to his faction’s Interim National Working Committee paid him a solidarity visit following the appellate court’s judgment.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by the faction’s Board of Trustees Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, alongside seven others, seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu, upheld an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had declined to grant the relief sought by the appellants.
Reacting to the ruling, Turaki said the party would remain resolute and continue its efforts to overcome the leadership crisis.
He maintained that the objective of his faction was to prevent the PDP from losing its position as a major opposition party in the country.
“I have listened to you. Other members of the NWC of the PDP have also listened to you. Your message is quite succinct and clear, and the sum total of your message is that the PDP must survive,” he said.
“We shall remain resolute in this. We will fight on. We will stand up because, when the going gets tough like this, it is often said that only the tough get going.”
Turaki disclosed that the faction had received messages of support from founding members of the party, members of its Board of Trustees, political leaders and other Nigerians following the court decision.
He also expressed confidence that the PDP would survive its internal challenges, despite what he described as attempts by individuals and groups to undermine the party.
On the next legal steps, Turaki said the faction had directed its lawyers to study the Court of Appeal judgment and advise on the appropriate course of action, including the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court.
He also defended the legal action taken by members of the Board of Trustees, arguing that they had sought clarification on the effect of existing court judgments rather than instituting a fresh case.
The factional chairman further claimed that the names and particulars of the candidates produced by his camp, including its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly candidates, had been submitted to INEC.
He argued that the commission was obligated to publish the candidates’ details on its portal following their submission.
However, the appellate court’s decision has left the Turaki-led faction facing further uncertainty over its claim to the party’s national leadership and the status of candidates produced through its political process.
Earlier, Chairman of the faction’s Forum of Governorship Candidates, Sunday Biggs, urged the Interim National Working Committee to intensify efforts towards reconciliation and unity, particularly at the grassroots.
Biggs called for an urgent legal appeal to the Supreme Court, regular communication with party members and a broader strategy to address disagreements within the party.
He said the governorship candidates remained committed to the faction and were ready to contribute to rebuilding the PDP.
The leadership dispute has continued to deepen divisions within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections, with rival camps contesting control of its national structure.
Despite the latest court setback, Turaki assured his supporters that his faction would continue pursuing legal and political options to secure recognition and ensure its candidates remain in contention for the elections.
