Wike Warns Turaki-Led PDP Faction Ahead of Supreme Court Battle
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he and his allies are fully prepared to confront the rival faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Supreme Court of Nigeria if they proceed with plans to challenge recent court rulings.
Wike made the remarks on Monday following a series of legal victories for his faction in the ongoing internal dispute that has divided the PDP into competing camps.
The crisis escalated after the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Abuja dismissed appeals filed by the faction led by Taminu Turaki, which had sought to overturn earlier court decisions related to the party’s 2025 national convention.
In its ruling, the appellate court upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, which had previously restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in 2025.
The legal dispute has deepened internal divisions within the opposition party, with rival groups claiming legitimacy and challenging each other’s authority within the party structure.
Reacting to the appellate court decision, Wike said the judgment should serve as an opportunity for reconciliation within the party. However, he warned that if the Turaki-led faction chooses to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, his camp is ready to defend its position.
“Today’s judgment is an opportunity for PDP to reconcile, but if they decide to go to the Supreme Court, it won’t augur well for the party,” Wike said.
He added that his faction had already secured multiple legal victories in the matter.
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“If they insist on going to the Supreme Court, we’ll be ready for them. We won all nine appeals against them today in court,” he stated.
According to Wike, the court rulings also imposed financial penalties on the opposing faction.
“Each comes with a cost of ₦2 million, totalling ₦18 million against them,” he added.
The PDP has been grappling with internal disputes for several years, with disagreements over leadership structure, party discipline, and political alliances contributing to factional divisions.
Observers say the crisis intensified after the 2023 general elections, with different camps within the party competing for control of its national leadership.
The Turaki-led faction, which has been supported by some party stakeholders including Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, has continued to challenge decisions made by rival party leaders.
Meanwhile, Wike—who previously served as governor of Rivers State before becoming the FCT minister under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu—remains one of the most influential figures within the party despite his controversial political alignment.
Political analysts believe the ongoing legal battles could significantly weaken the PDP’s ability to function as a strong opposition party if the crisis remains unresolved.
Some observers argue that prolonged internal conflict could further erode the party’s national influence and open the door for rival parties to strengthen their positions ahead of future elections.
For now, the legal dispute appears far from over, with the Turaki-led faction already indicating plans to approach the Supreme Court for a final ruling on the matter.
The outcome of that legal challenge could determine the future leadership structure of the PDP and shape the direction of Nigeria’s opposition politics in the coming years.