PDP Crisis: Turaki Faction Explains Supreme Court Move Despite Reconciliation Efforts; Wike Playing God

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Turaki faction, reportedly backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has justified its decision to approach the Supreme Court over the party’s lingering leadership crisis, despite ongoing reconciliation efforts.

The move follows a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which nullified the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The ruling has strengthened a rival faction allegedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, positioning it as the authentic leadership of the party.

However, in a development that has raised concerns among political observers, the Turaki faction on Friday filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, even as negotiations to resolve the internal dispute continue.

Speaking on the development, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the decision by its National Working Committee (NWC) to challenge the appellate court’s judgment does not undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts.

According to him, the faction is pursuing both legal and political solutions simultaneously.

“It is only God who can give an answer whether the negotiation will eventually work or not. Only God can give that answer. But our duty is to act in utmost good faith towards that destination,” he said.

Ememobong added that the faction cannot rely solely on negotiations, accusing the rival group of attempting to dominate the crisis.

“Because at the end of the day, if men choose to play God, God will become God. We are opposed to the deification of man and the magnification of God. Men must be men and God must be God.”

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction is set to hold its elective National Convention in Abuja, a move strongly opposed by the Turaki group, which argues that proceeding with the convention undermines the spirit of ongoing reconciliation talks.

The development underscores deepening divisions within the PDP, raising further questions about the prospects of a unified resolution to the protracted leadership crisis.