The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Taraba State, Senator Joel Ikenya, has urged party members and supporters across the state not to panic over the recent publication by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of candidates for the forthcoming elections.
Key Highlights
- Ikenya says INECu2019s publication of the Abdulrahman-led factionu2019s candidates does not settle the PDP leadership dispute.
- He cites pending Supreme Court appeals and Court of Appeal rulings on the partyu2019s leadership crisis.
- He argues the Supreme Courtu2019s nullification of the Ibadan convention did not confer authority on the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee.
- He points to a Court of Appeal ruling on the Osun off-cycle governorship election, which upheld the Turaki-led PDP candidate, as a parallel precedent.
- Ikenya urges PDP members to remain calm, united and avoid violence while the courts decide.
- He expects the courts to provide clarity by late September or early October and insists he will be on the ballot.
Ikenya said the publication of candidates submitted by the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP did not amount to a final determination of the legal dispute over the authentic leadership and candidates of the party.
In a statement issued on Monday, the governorship candidate said several legal battles concerning the leadership of the PDP, its caretaker arrangement and the nomination of candidates remain before the courts.
Legal Battles Still Before The Courts
He cited appeals before the Supreme Court, arising from the January 30, 2026, Court of Appeal ruling on the judgment of Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, as well as another appeal arising from the July 17, 2026, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to him, the cases raise fundamental questions concerning the leadership of the PDP, the caretaker arrangement and the subsequent nomination of candidates for elections.
Ikenya also referred to the June 3, 2026, decision of the Court of Appeal, particularly the issue of whether the Federal High Court exceeded the reliefs sought by the parties when it recognised the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee.
He argued that the Supreme Courtu2019s decision nullifying the Ibadan convention did not confer authority on the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee.
He further maintained that the Supreme Court judgment confirmed the suspension of Kamaldeen Ajibade, Samuel Anyanwu and others, which, according to him, left the party without a substantive leadership structure.
He added that the arrangement was subsequently communicated to INEC, stressing that its legal status and scope remained subject to judicial determination before the Court of Appeal.
The Taraba PDP governorship candidate also cited a recent Court of Appeal decision concerning the Osun State off-cycle governorship election, which he said upheld the PDP governorship candidate submitted by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led leadership.
He said the development further demonstrates that competing claims over party leadership and the validity of nominations u2014 an issue that also shaped how INEC recognised the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership earlier in the year u2014 were matters for judicial determination.
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Ikenya Calls For Calm And Unity
Ikenya consequently appealed to PDP members, candidates, party leaders, ward and local government executives, women, youths and supporters across Taraba State to remain calm, united and committed to the party.
“Our message to the PDP family in Taraba is therefore simple: remain calm, stay united and do not give up,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the courts would provide clarity on the matter by the end of September or early October, maintaining that he remained confident of being on the ballot.
Ikenya also urged party members and candidates to continue their legitimate political activities, mobilisation and engagement with the electorate across the state while the legal proceedings continued.
The former senator cautioned PDP supporters against violence, provocation or any action capable of disrupting the peace in Taraba State.
“Our strength is in the law, democracy and the people,” he said, adding that the party would continue to rely on the rule of law and the courts to deliver justice.
He appealed to party members to remain hopeful, declaring: “We will be on the ballot.”
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