Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, following a Federal High Court judgment that recognised Wike’s faction as the legitimate leadership of the party.

Speaking during the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held yesterday in Abuja, Wike questioned Turaki’s earlier claim that the court’s ruling was “academic.”

“They took us to the Federal High Court in Ibadan, seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to recognise them as NWC members based on their Amala convention, but the court gave us victory,” Wike said.

“People like Turaki will not tell Nigerians the truth. He said the judgment is academic. Since you know it’s academic, why did you go there?” he added.

Wike further declared his political focus on Oyo State, stating, “Particularly in Oyo State, I’m interested. Mr Chairman, let me declare my interest. I’m interested in Oyo State PDP. That’s where I’m interested. No more.”

The court ruling stems from a deep leadership crisis in the PDP that escalated after rival factions held competing conventions, with the most controversial taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025, producing Kabiru Turaki as National Chairman. The Ibadan convention was widely criticised for allegedly violating both the PDP Constitution and subsisting court orders restraining such exercises.

Prior to the convention, several Federal High Court rulings in Abuja had attempted to suspend or block the exercise, citing procedural breaches and non-compliance with party and electoral laws. Despite these directives, the Ibadan convention proceeded, leading to parallel claims of authority within the PDP.

In January 2026, a Federal High Court in Ibadan declared the Ibadan convention null and void, ruling that it violated existing court orders and party rules. The court affirmed that the caretaker committee aligned with Wike remained the only recognised leadership of the PDP pending a valid national convention. It also barred Turaki and his allies from presenting themselves as the legitimate National Working Committee (NWC) and instructed INEC not to recognise the disputed officers.

While Turaki’s camp labelled the judgment “academic” and pledged to appeal, Wike’s faction hailed the ruling as a legal victory and a reinforcement of proper party processes. The minister and his supporters are now making moves to schedule fresh congresses and a legitimate national convention for March 2026 under their leadership.

Source; PM News