A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) protested the Independent National Electoral Commission's decision to grant candidate nomination upload codes to the Wike-backed camp [1, 2].

This dispute highlights deepening internal divisions within the PDP as the party prepares for the 2027 election cycle [1]. The control of these digital access codes is critical for the official submission of candidate names, meaning the group holding the code effectively controls the party's legal representation before the electoral body.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, said the commission acted with bias and unfairness [1, 2]. His faction said the upload code should not be given exclusively to the camp backed by Nyesom Wike [1, 3].

The conflict over party legitimacy remains a point of contention. While some reports identify Turaki's group as a faction, other perspectives challenge this classification. A PDP leadership spokesperson said, "In law and fact, there is no faction in the Peoples Democratic Party" [3].

The protest occurred on June 8, 2026 [2]. The codes in question are intended for the 2027 elections [1]. Turaki's group said the commission's decision favors a specific group of "friends," rather than a recognized party faction [3].

“The upload code should not be given exclusively to the Wike-backed camp”

The struggle over the INEC upload codes represents a tactical battle for legal recognition within the PDP. Because the commission's digital systems determine which candidates are officially recognized, the granting of the code to the Wike-backed camp may marginalize the Turaki faction's ability to field candidates in the 2027 elections, potentially forcing the dispute into the courts to determine who constitutes the legitimate party leadership.