Wike threatens legal action against Turaki camp

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering legal action against the Tanimu Turaki faction of the party “for continually parading themselves as PDP leaders despite series of court judgments against them.”

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said petitions had been submitted to security agencies, urging them to intervene promptly.

The Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, responded that the matter was not a security issue but a legal one. He added that petitioners are not always right, noting that those who initiate complaints can sometimes end up being the ones affected.

The Supreme Court, in a narrow 3–2 decision on April 30, 2026, voided the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. That convention, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, produced the Turaki-led leadership.

Following the judgment, the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BOT) reconstituted Turaki and others into an Interim National Working Committee. They have continued to operate in opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-recognised PDP leadership backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Reacting to the ongoing situation, Mohammed said the party was awaiting guidance from its legal department on the next steps after petitioning security agencies. He stated:

“For the party, we are only law-abiding men and women, and we cannot do beyond what the security agencies are supposed to do. What we have done is to write a petition and draw the attention of the police and other relevant security agencies. That is all we need to do. It is up to the relevant authorities where such petitions have been submitted to act swiftly and within the confines of the law.”

He added that Turaki and Wabara were invited by the police on the same issues but have continued to push narratives in the media. Mohammed expressed optimism that security agencies would act but noted that legal action could follow if needed.

In response, Ememobong stated that the faction’s actions were in line with the judgment and the laws of the country. He said:

“Our reaction is simple: it shows the level of ignorance of the law upon which they operate. This issue is not a matter for security; it is a legal matter where the judgment of court is involved, and we acted in accordance with the judgments, PDP Constitution, and Nigerian laws. … Our leadership remains genuine, and we shall continue to run the affairs of the PDP.”