The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State has intensified following the rejection of a 16-member caretaker committee constituted by a faction of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee.
The faction, reportedly led by Nyesom Wike, had on Tuesday announced the appointment of the committee to oversee the affairs of the party in the state for an initial period of 30 days or until a new executive committee is elected. The committee, chaired by Victor Falack, was said to have been constituted in line with provisions of the party’s constitution.
According to the faction, the move was aimed at stabilizing the party’s structure in Taraba and ensuring compliance with constitutional guidelines.
However, the announcement was swiftly rejected by the recognized Taraba State leadership of the PDP. In a statement signed by the party’s Media and Publicity Officer, Herbert Faith Bello, the state chapter described the purported caretaker committee as “false, misleading and unauthorized.”
The statement maintained that the publication emanated from “an unrecognized body with no constitutional standing within the Party” and accused those behind it of attempting to create confusion and unnecessary tension among members.
The state chapter reaffirmed that the PDP in Taraba remains duly constituted under the leadership of Acting Chairman, Comrade Chief Obidah Bitrus.
It stressed that the existing leadership structure is intact and fully committed to upholding the party’s constitution and the principles of internal democracy.
“Party members and the general public have been advised to disregard the caretaker committee announcement in its entirety, as it does not reflect the position of the recognized state leadership or any authentic organ of the party,” the statement read.
As events continue to unfold, party faithful and stakeholders who spoke to DAILY POST said they are awaiting further clarification from the national leadership to determine the legality and political implications of the competing claims.