The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party in Taraba State worsened on Tuesday as the state leadership rejected a 16-member caretaker committee announced by a faction of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee.
The disagreement centers on who has the authority to manage the party’s affairs in the state and how the leadership structure should be handled.
The faction, said to be led by Nyesom Wike, had earlier unveiled the caretaker committee and named Victor Falack as chairman.
The body was assigned to oversee the party’s activities in Taraba for 30 days or until a new executive committee is put in place.
The group claimed the decision followed provisions of the party’s constitution and was intended to restore order in the state chapter.
However, the recognized Taraba State chapter of the PDP dismissed the move. In a statement issued by the party’s Media and Publicity Officer, Herbert Faith Bello, the state leadership described the announcement as invalid and not backed by any lawful organ of the party.
The statement said the committee did not come from any body recognized by the party’s constitution and accused those behind it of trying to cause division among members.
The state chapter maintained that the party structure in Taraba remains under the control of Acting Chairman, Comrade Chief Obidah Bitrus. It stated that the existing leadership is intact and continues to function in line with the party’s rules and internal democratic principles.
Members of the party and political observers in the state are now waiting for a clear position from the national leadership of the PDP to determine the legality of the caretaker committee and the next steps.
The development has added to the tension within the party as both sides hold firm to their claims over control of the Taraba chapter.