PDP Crisis Deepens as Turaki Accuses Wike Camp of Deceiving Candidates Over INEC Access Code

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened after the Turaki-led faction accused the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of deceiving candidates over access to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s nomination portal.

The latest clash centers on who has the legitimate right to upload candidates’ names and complete the nomination process ahead of the 2027 general election. According to the Turaki camp, some aspirants have been misled into believing that the rival faction’s process carries official recognition, even though the dispute over the party’s leadership is still before the courts.

The disagreement reflects the wider struggle for control of the PDP, where both sides continue to claim authority while political and legal battles play out. The party’s internal division has already created confusion among members, aspirants and supporters who are trying to determine which leadership structure will ultimately be recognized for the next election cycle.

Wike, for his part, has insisted that the recognized PDP leadership already has access to the INEC portal and is actively uploading candidates. He dismissed the Turaki faction’s complaints and maintained that only the authentic party structure can validly process nominations.

That position has not resolved the dispute. Instead, it has intensified concerns that the PDP may be entering another round of litigation and internal distrust at a critical moment. The issue is especially sensitive because candidate nomination is not only a technical process but also a legal one that can determine whether a party’s tickets stand up in court.

The Turaki faction has continued to urge aspirants to remain calm, arguing that the matter is still sub judice and should not be treated as settled. It says any attempt to present one camp as fully recognized before the courts have ruled risks prejudicing the case and misleading candidates who are seeking a fair chance to contest under the party banner.

The row also underscores how the PDP’s long-running leadership dispute has spilled into the practical business of election preparation. Instead of focusing only on strategy, campaign messaging and candidate selection, the party is now being forced to defend the legitimacy of its internal processes.

For many observers, the access code controversy is less about a portal and more about control, recognition and political survival. As the Wike and Turaki camps continue to trade claims, the PDP’s challenge will be to avoid further fragmentation while the courts and INEC weigh in on the real structure of authority within the party.