The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has escalated the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, declaring that any property or financial institution linked to the faction led by Kabiru Turaki will face immediate sanctions.
Wike issued the warning on Wednesday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, insisting that the Turaki-led group lacks legal standing and cannot operate as the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
The minister’s remarks come amid deepening turmoil in the opposition party following the appointment of Turaki as chairman of a 13-member interim National Working Committee reportedly backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during a recent National Executive Committee meeting.
Turaki had earlier claimed to have assumed control of the party, citing a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the PDP’s November 2025 national convention, thereby creating a leadership vacuum.
But Wike dismissed the claim as deceptive and unlawful.
“You cannot disobey court judgments and then turn around to mislead Nigerians with claims of legitimacy. That is not how democracy works,” he said.
He challenged the faction to demonstrate its authenticity by carrying out formal party functions, including opening an official bank account for nomination fees.
“If they are truly the recognised leadership, let them open a verifiable PDP account and invite members to transact. That is when reality will set in,” Wike stated, adding that such a move would expose what he described as the group’s illegitimacy.
In a stern warning, the FCT minister said he would not hesitate to enforce the law against any parallel structure established in Abuja.
“Let them attempt to open an office and call it PDP secretariat — I dare them. Any such property will be sealed. I will not allow any breach of peace in the FCT,” he said.
Wike further cautioned financial institutions against facilitating transactions for the faction, stressing that opening a party account requires verified documentation from recognised leadership.
“Any bank that allows such an account to be opened will face serious consequences. Who holds the authentic party documents? Certainly not those claiming leadership from their bedrooms,” he added.
The development signals a fresh twist in the PDP’s protracted leadership crisis, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s structure amid legal and political uncertainties ahead of future elections.
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