By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared Mr. Udayi Julius, a lawyer and tax expert, as the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Cross River State for the 2027 general election.
The faction, which described itself as the legally recognised leadership of the PDP, dismissed the governorship candidacy of Arthur Jarvis under the Nyesom Wike-aligned camp, insisting that the rival group lacked legitimacy.
Addressing journalists in Calabar on Friday, members of the faction said the briefing was necessary to clarify what they described as misinformation surrounding the party’s authentic candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
They urged party members, stakeholders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to recognise only candidates produced by the Turaki-led leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Julius said the briefing was aimed at correcting what he described as misleading claims by individuals allegedly presenting themselves as PDP candidates.
“This press briefing has become necessary in response to the misleading narrative being presented to the people of Cross River State by certain individuals who are falsely parading themselves as candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is important that we provide clarity regarding the authentic leadership of our great party and its duly recognised candidates,” he said.
Julius maintained that, based on judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led leadership remained the authentic and legally recognised leadership of the PDP, adding that all candidates presented by the faction emerged through its recognised structures.
He alleged that individuals operating under a different platform were falsely claiming to be PDP candidates and urged the public to disregard what he described as attempts to mislead the electorate.
The faction pledged to provide credible leadership if elected and expressed confidence that it would defeat Governor Bassey Otu in the 2027 governorship election.
Editor’s Note: The claims by the Turaki-led faction regarding its recognition as the authentic PDP leadership and the status of its candidates represent its position and remain subject to ongoing political and legal disputes.
