Fresh internal crisis has rocked the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the emergence of a new governorship candidate on Friday.
The new candidate, Julius Udayi Esq., who presented himself at the NUJ Secretariat in Calabar, claimed to be the authentic flag bearer of the party for the 2027 general elections.
Udayi said he is contesting under the Tanimu Turaki, SAN-led National Working Committee of the PDP.
Speaking to journalists, he said, “My name is Udayi Julius, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State under the leadership of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.”
Udayi, who was flanked by other candidates of the party in the state, explained that the briefing was necessary to correct false claims by individuals parading themselves as PDP candidates in the state.
“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,” he said.
He anchored his legitimacy on recent court judgments, insisting that the Turaki-led NWC remains the legally recognized leadership of the party.
“Following the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, it is our position that the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership remains the authentic and legally recognized leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he declared.
He urged the public and relevant institutions to disregard any other list, stating, “We wish to state unequivocally that such claims do not represent the authentic leadership, structure, or duly recognized candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Udayi called on party faithful, INEC, security agencies and Cross Riverians to support the Turaki-led PDP for the “peace, progress and prosperity” of the state.
But in a swift reaction to the Udayi’s claim, State public secretary of Nyasom Wike led-faction said Udayi Should not be taken serious. The authentic flag-bearer for the PDP Gov’ship Candidate In Cross River is Sir Authur Jarvis and no one else. Udayi is fake why not he visit the party Secretariate to organize his briefing. We have not seen Udayi in PDP Secretariate in the last 8 months.” Ojisi stated.
