Taraba PDP Crisis: Factional Chairman Obidah Bitrus Urges Candidates to Remain Calm, Pins Hope on Appeal Court
Says INEC’s current list not end of legal battle as rival PDP faction awaits Sept. 3 hearing
By Taraba News
The factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Hon. Comr. Obidah Bitrus, has urged candidates and supporters loyal to his faction to remain calm following the publication of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of the continuing leadership and legal battle within the Taraba PDP, with INEC currently recognising the list of candidates submitted by the rival leadership.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 31, Bitrus acknowledged concerns arising from the names currently appearing on the INEC platform but insisted that the development should not be regarded as the final resolution of the dispute.
According to him, the legal battle remains before the courts, with the Court of Appeal expected to hear the matter on September 3, 2026.
Bitrus consequently appealed to governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates associated with his faction not to panic or abandon hope because of the list currently recognised by the electoral commission.
“Let nobody be worried. Let nobody lose hope. The matter is still before the court, and justice will take its course,” he said.
The factional chairman maintained that the judiciary, rather than the present administrative position of INEC, would ultimately determine the legal questions surrounding the PDP leadership and nomination process.
Bitrus Cites Osun PDP Case
Bitrus also pointed to the recent PDP governorship nomination dispute in Osun State, arguing that it demonstrated how an INEC position on candidates could subsequently be affected by the outcome of litigation.
He therefore urged members of his faction to remain united and avoid statements or actions capable of escalating the internal crisis while awaiting the decision of the courts.
“The battle is not over. The process is still ongoing. Let us remain calm, united and hopeful as we await the decision of the Court of Appeal,” Bitrus said.
The latest intervention underscores the continuing division within the Taraba PDP despite INEC’s current recognition of candidates presented by the rival leadership.
With the commission’s list already generating political reactions across the state, attention will now shift to the Court of Appeal on September 3, where the next stage of the legal battle could determine the direction of the PDP crisis and potentially affect the status of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
