PDP Groups Clash Over INEC Forms Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party and the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction are in a heated argument over the rival Independent National Electoral Commission nomination forms. They are also disputing candidates' lists and other issues from the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, spoke with The PUNCH. He dismissed the actions of Turaki’s faction, saying they will not hurt the party’s chances in the upcoming elections. He called the rival faction's actions “419” and claimed their efforts would ultimately fail.

The Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, represented by Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, responded firmly. They said they will not back down and insisted their position is backed by law and court judgments. They also rejected claims that their INEC nomination forms are fake, stating that only INEC can confirm their legitimacy.

On April 30, the Supreme Court ruled in a split 3-2 decision to nullify the PDP national convention that took place in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. This convention was supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and led to the emergence of the Turaki-led leadership.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling, the Board of Trustees, chaired by Adolphus Wabara, reappointed Turaki and other members to an Interim National Working Committee. This group has continued to operate alongside the PDP leadership recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which Wike supports.

Meanwhile, the PDP, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, has started selling expression of interest and nomination forms to candidates wanting the party’s tickets for the 2027 elections. INEC is monitoring these activities as per their requirements, and they have given access codes to upload their candidates.

However, the Turaki faction has maintained a separate structure. They also issued nomination forms to candidates for the upcoming elections, even though they do not have INEC recognition, access codes, or oversight for their activities or primaries. Some of their candidates displayed INEC nomination forms.

In response, the Wike-backed PDP asked INEC to check the legitimacy of the nomination forms shown by the rival faction. They urged the commission to investigate and take legal action if the documents are found to be fake.

Mohammed argued that the rival faction cannot submit the alleged nomination forms without access to INEC’s portal. He stated that only legally recognized candidates can finish the nomination process.

He said, “We are not concerned one bit about what these people are doing, and we will not be concerned. Whatever they are doing will not, in any way, affect the chances of the PDP at the polls come 2027. We have consistently maintained that lies and propaganda have expiry dates. This one is just like the convention they held, which we told the whole world could not stand and did not stand.

“So, all of these they are doing is best described as the very many faces of 419, fraud. Nigerians are now aware and have become aware of their 419.

“Surprisingly, some of these people are also showing off INEC forms given to them.

“If truly those documents came from INEC, INEC should be in the best position to answer that because we are not the manufacturers of the INEC nomination forms. So, INEC should verify if these documents truly came from them. Then they should explain why. But if they did not come from them, then criminal proceedings should be initiated.

“Besides, when they fill these forms, where will they take them to? How would they upload them? Do they have access codes to upload their information? You should ask them this: how would they upload their information to the server? They don’t have access. It’s just 419, purely 419.”

The Turaki faction dismissed the issue of access codes. They said they are focused on preparing candidates and ongoing court cases rather than fighting with rival groups.

Ememobong admitted that the crisis has impacted them but said it is being managed. He expressed confidence that INEC will take the right actions once all legal matters are settled.

He stated, “Well, the first thing is that they have made us an obsession for themselves. Everything we do seems to excite them. We clearly know that they lack what to do.

“The access code is not an issue, at the right time INEC will do the needful. If they claim that the forms are fake, it doesn’t lie in their mouth to say so. They should rather concentrate. It takes fake to recognise fake. The law is clear, that only the maker of a document can determine its authenticity. We are busy with very serious things, including candidate preparations. We are also handling cases in court, so we are too busy to join issues with them.

“Well, the negative impact is already there. But in every battle, it is not just what you go through; it is how you go through it. We are carefully avoiding all the landmines, and, at the end, the end will justify the means.

“The most critical matters are pending before the court. We have three important cases before the courts. That’s all. They are very important. They will determine the future one way or the other. And we are confident they will go in our favour.

So, until then, we are not going to back down from this. We are clearly on the path of the law, and the facts are aligned with us. If you look at the judgments and the post-Supreme Court actions of the National Executive Committee, clearly we are within the law.