By Frank Ulom
Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional governorship candidates have emerged in Cross River State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Converseer reports that the Tamimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, on Friday, unveiled Julius Udayi as its governorship candidate, saying that the recent judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court had affirmed its legitimacy. Other candidates for the National and State Houses of Assembly were also unveiled.
Led by the Chairman of its Caretaker Committee, Timothy Ekawon, and his Committee members, the group said it remained the authentic structure recognised to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists at Ernest Bassey Etim’s NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, the faction’s governorship candidate, Udayi, who spoke on behalf of others, reassured members that the PDP remained committed to preserving the party’s legitimate identity.
Udayi explained that the briefing was convened to clear what he said was a growing confusion over the leadership of the party and the identity of its candidates in Cross River State.
According to him, “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.
“Following the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, it is our position that the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led leadership remains the authentic and legally recognised leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is under this leadership that all of us standing before you today emerged as duly nominated candidates of the party.”
The faction further rejected the claims of individuals it accused of presenting themselves as PDP candidates under a different platform, insisting that such persons neither represented the recognised leadership nor the official structure of the party in the state.
Udayi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, party supporters and the public to disregard “attempts to create uncertainty ahead of the 2027 polls.”
“We, therefore, call on all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the general public to disregard any misleading claims or political misinformation designed to create confusion among the electorate,” he said.
Converseer further reports that the other candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, was presented as the governorship candidate of the party in May 2026 by the Nyesom Wike-led faction.
