Taraba PDP Disowns Wike-Backed Factional Caretaker Committee, Sparking Confusion

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Taraba State took a new turn on Wednesday when the state chapter rejected a 16-member caretaker committee that a group of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee had proposed.

With both sides claiming constitutional legitimacy, the development has further revealed the growing fissures within the party’s structure in the state.

The caretaker committee to manage the party’s operations in Taraba State was reportedly unveiled on Tuesday by a group of the party, purportedly led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.

For the first thirty days or until a new executive committee is chosen, the panel, led by Victor Falack, was tasked with piloting the party’s operations.

The faction claims that the decision was made in accordance with the party’s constitution and was intended to stabilize the party’s structure within the state.

The organization insisted that the action was required to restore order among the party’s ranks and guarantee adherence to constitutional principles.

But the PDP’s acknowledged Taraba State leadership quickly rejected the declaration, calling it a nullity.

The chapter called the alleged caretaker committee “false, misleading, and unauthorised” in a statement signed by Herbert Faith Bello, the party’s Media and Publicity Officer in the state.

According to the statement, the declaration came from “an unrecognized body with no constitutional standing within the Party.”

It also charged individuals responsible with the action with trying to sow doubt and needless strife among the state’s party members.

The state chapter reaffirmed its power and stated that Comrade Chief Obidah Bitrus, the Acting Chairman, is still in charge of the PDP in Taraba.

The statement emphasized that the current leadership team is still in place and totally dedicated to preserving the party’s internal democratic ideals and constitution.

“Party members and the public have been advised to disregard the caretaker committee announcement in its entirety, as it does not reflect the position of any authentic organ of the party or the recognized state leadership,” the statement said.