By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Forum of State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from what it described as the Tanimu Turaki-led group, while urging security agencies to investigate the activities of the faction over alleged forgery and impersonation.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman of the PDP Chairmen’s Forum, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, said the 36 state chairmen and the FCT chairman were concerned about what they described as attempts by expelled party members to create confusion over the party’s leadership and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The forum alleged that individuals parading themselves as members of the self-serving Interim National Working Committee (INWC) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), had continued to present themselves as a faction of the PDP despite court judgments and the recognition of the party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The chairmen urged security and law enforcement agencies to investigate what they described as the “criminal forgery and distortion” of court judgments by members of the group, warning that their actions posed a threat to public order and the rule of law.
According to the forum, there is only one recognised PDP leadership under National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, insisting that any contrary claim amounted to impersonation.
The forum also appealed to former President Jonathan to dissociate himself from the Turaki group, alleging that his name was being used without his consent in what it described as activities capable of misleading Nigerians.
The chairmen claimed that Jonathan’s name was manually submitted to INEC by the group despite what they described as the party’s authorised electronic submission of candidates, and urged the former president to make his position clear to protect his reputation.
The group further called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to investigate the use of an office complex in Abuja, alleging that it was being used to coordinate activities capable of disrupting public peace.
In addition, the forum urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to institute contempt proceedings and other legal actions against the Turaki group over alleged impersonation, forgery and disobedience of court orders.
The state chairmen maintained that competent courts had already settled the leadership dispute within the PDP and announced plans to make certified true copies of the relevant judgments available to the media to counter what they described as misinformation.
Reaffirming their support for the current leadership, the forum commended the NWC for conducting what it described as transparent primary elections, the successful sale of nomination forms and the emergence of Senator Sandy Onor as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The forum also welcomed INEC’s publication of the names of the party’s candidates, saying it demonstrated that the PDP remained united and prepared for the next general election.
They urged party members nationwide to remain calm and avoid being distracted by internal disputes, insisting that the PDP had overcome its challenges and was ready to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 polls.
