By Joe Ephraim, Calabàr
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has declared Julius Udayi as its authentic governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections, while rejecting what it described as parallel candidates being paraded by rival elements within the party.
Addressing journalists in Calabar on Friday, Udayi, who spoke on behalf of the faction, said he was the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP under the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).
He was joined at the briefing by the faction’s three senatorial candidates, eight House of Representatives candidates and 25 House of Assembly candidates, all of whom he described as the legally recognised flag bearers of the party in the state.
Udayi said the briefing became necessary to correct what he called misleading claims by individuals presenting themselves as PDP candidates under a different platform.
According to him, judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court affirm that the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership remains the authentic and legally recognised leadership of the PDP, under which the faction’s candidates emerged.
“It has come to our attention that certain individuals are presenting themselves to Cross Riverians as PDP candidates under a different platform. We wish to state unequivocally that such claims do not represent the authentic leadership, structure or duly recognised candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.
The governorship candidate urged party faithful, supporters, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public to disregard what he described as political misinformation intended to create confusion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that the Turaki-led faction remained committed to democratic principles and providing credible leadership for the people of Cross River State.
Udayi also appealed to Cross Riverians to continue supporting the faction as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
The latest declaration underscores the lingering leadership dispute within the PDP, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s structure and candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
