Turaki Mocks Rival Camp As Oluyede Receives INEC-Stamped Certificate Of Return
•••Arapaja Vows To Retrieve Mandates From Defectors
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday intensified preparations for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election with the formal presentation of a certificate of return to Dr. Oluwole Oluyede—an action the party leadership described as both symbolic and decisive in ending internal disputes over the party structure in the state.
The event, held at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, came shortly after a strategic meeting with 30 state chairmen who publicly reaffirmed their loyalty to the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki–led National Working Committee (NWC). The meeting was widely seen as an attempt to demonstrate institutional cohesion amid claims of a parallel faction in Ekiti.
Addressing the chairmen earlier in the day, Turaki dismissed those claiming to lead a rival faction as impostors.
“For me, today is a day of fulfilment,” he said. “Some people outside claim they have a faction, yet 29 state chairmen are here with us, with apologies from two. Tell me, who is not here? If all the state chairmen are supporting us, then who can be fighting us? This is something for the whole world to see.”
Hours later, the NWC moved to the highlight of the day: the public installation of Oluyede as the PDP’s flagbearer for the June 2026 election.
In what he called a demonstration of transparency, Turaki displayed the INEC-branded forms and envelopes issued for the nomination process and handed them to Oluyede.
“Take this form and envelope. They are from INEC. Fill and return them to us so we can forward them to INEC as required by law,” he said, then challenged the rival camp led by Abdulrahman Mohammed to present its own candidate “if they truly have a claim to the party structure.”
The ceremony was attended by party elders including Prof. Jerry Gana and former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, as well as serving senators and House members.
In his acceptance remarks, Oluyede pledged to lead the party to victory in Ekiti and urged those still in court to consider the wider implications of prolonged litigation.
“Court cases are a distraction that send the wrong signals to the public. There can only be one candidate, and today, that candidate happens to be me,” he said.
Speaking afterwards, the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, dismissed claims that the PDP was “dead,” arguing that such claims were contradicted by the intense struggle to control the party.
“Some people said the PDP is dead but are still fighting to take over the party. If it is dead, why the fight?” he asked.
Arapaja also hinted at a legal offensive to reclaim mandates from governors, senators, and House of Representatives members who defected to the APC.
“We will go after these people who traded our mandates for a pot of porridge. We will retrieve our mandates from them,” he vowed.
PDP Positions for Fierce 2026 Contest
With the certificate of return now in Oluyede’s possession and the party leadership projecting unity and strength, the PDP appears set for a tough battle in the 2026 Ekiti governorship race—while openly daring internal and external opponents to step forward with their own candidates.