PDP Congress Turns Chaotic in Taraba State
The Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) state congress in Taraba State, Nigeria, took a dramatic turn as two separate candidates were announced as consensus winners for the party's chairmanship position, sparking chaos among attendees.
Conflicting Announcements
The congress, organized by the Mohammed Abdulrahman-led faction, initially proceeded smoothly. However, tensions rose when a congress committee member named Victor Falack as the consensus candidate and chairman-elect.
This declaration was met with immediate backlash from party members. In a swift turn of events, another committee member intervened, naming Ibrahim Sale as the consensus candidate, alongside other executive members.
Leadership Dispute Escalates
The controversy centered on Falack's previous role as the party's caretaker committee chairman, appointed for a limited 30-day term. As the situation escalated, Sale and his executive team were swiftly sworn in, further aggravating Falack's supporters.
The dispute quickly descended into chaos, necessitating the intervention of security personnel. Police officers had to escort the congress chairman away in a patrol van to defuse the volatile situation.
Lingering Leadership Crisis
This incident is the latest chapter in the PDP's protracted leadership crisis. It follows a Court of Appeal judgment that annulled the party's Ibadan convention, which had elected Tanimu Turaki as national chairman. The ruling has exacerbated divisions, with rival factions conducting parallel activities in various states.
The Turaki faction has challenged the judgment, arguing that the Ibadan convention adhered to party rules. They warn that overturning the convention's outcome could intensify the crisis within the opposition party.
Adding to the complexity, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, including a window for primaries and dispute resolution from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
As the PDP grapples with internal strife, the clock is ticking towards the electoral deadline, leaving the party's leadership in a state of flux.
New Leadership in Borno State
In a separate development, the Abdulrahman-led faction conducted a state congress in Borno State, where Abbas Aliyu was elected as the new state chairman, along with 34 other executive committee members. The congress, held in Maiduguri, was monitored by INEC officials.