By Abasi Ita
The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed claims of factionalisation within the party, insisting that it remains united under one recognised leadership with a verifiable list of candidates for the 2027 general elections in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar, the State Secretary of the party, Hon. Obi Joe Ability Bisong, described reports by a group identifying itself as the “Turaki faction” on the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections as false and misleading.
Bisong said the PDP in Cross River operates only one official state secretariat located at No. 27 Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar, and urged members of the public to disregard any contrary claims.
He stated that all duly nominated candidates of the party had been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, portal in accordance with the Electoral Act and other relevant regulations.
According to him, the INEC portal is open for public verification, adding that anyone claiming to be a PDP candidate whose name is not on the official list should be regarded as an impostor.
Bisong warned that any person falsely presenting himself or herself as a PDP candidate or representative without the authorisation of the party does not represent the PDP in any capacity.
He added that such individuals would be reported to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and any other action permitted by law.
The party also advised members of the public to obtain authentic information only from its official state secretariat during working hours and to ignore unauthorised statements, announcements or claims made by individuals falsely presenting themselves as party representatives or candidates.
The statement followed reports that a group said to be aligned with the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP had unveiled governorship and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections in Calabar.
The group reportedly claimed that its candidates were the authentic flag bearers of the party, citing Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judgments to support its position.
However, the Cross River PDP leadership maintained that there is no faction within the party in the state and insisted that only candidates officially nominated by the PDP and recognised by the party are its lawful candidates for the 2027 general elections.The copy has been tightened for clarity, grammar and news style while preserving the facts and remaining free of dashes.