*Seek Probe of Alleged Forgery, Urge Action Against ‘Illegal’ Group

The forum of state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led group, alleging that the former leader’s name is being used without his consent to legitimise what they described as an “illegal” faction operating outside the party’s recognised structure.

The chairmen also urged security agencies to investigate allegations of forgery and distortion of court judgments, while calling on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to initiate legal proceedings against members of the Turaki-led group for alleged impersonation and disobedience of court orders.

The demands were contained in a petition presented at a press conference in Abuja on Monday by the Chairman of the PDP Chairmen’s Forum, Austin Nwachukwu, on behalf of the 36 state chairmen and the FCT chairman.

Addressing journalists, the chairmen said they were compelled to speak out to protect the integrity of the party, defend the rule of law and prevent what they described as sustained attempts to mislead party members and the Nigerian public.

According to them, the Turaki-led group, which they insisted had been expelled from the PDP, had continued to present itself as a faction of the party despite court decisions recognising the leadership of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee.

The forum alleged that the group had engaged in the criminal forgery and distortion of court judgments and urged security and law enforcement agencies to investigate the claims without delay.

“We call on all security and law enforcement agencies to investigate, with immediate effect, the criminal and malicious forgery and distortion of court judgments by these co-travellers,” the forum said.

It argued that the alleged actions of the group, including what it described as reckless public statements, posed a threat to public order and undermined the rule of law.

The chairmen maintained that there was only one recognised PDP leadership, headed by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, insisting that the Turaki-led group should stop presenting itself as a faction of the opposition party.

“There is only one PDP recognised by INEC and by the courts,” the forum declared, describing the activities of the rival group as “identity theft.”

The forum also appealed directly to Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the Turaki-led group, saying his name and reputation were being deployed to lend legitimacy to activities it considered unlawful.

The chairmen recalled Jonathan’s oft-quoted declaration that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian and urged him to uphold that legacy by speaking out.

“It is public knowledge that your name is being used by these people to perpetuate their activities. This must stop. Silence in the face of such misuse damages not just the party but your own legacy of peace and statesmanship,” the forum stated.

The chairmen further observed that Jonathan’s name was manually submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the rival group in connection with the 2027 presidential election, contrary to what they described as the authentic electronic submission made by the recognised party leadership.

The forum also called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to direct security agencies to investigate an office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, allegedly being used by members of the Turaki-led group.

According to the chairmen, activities coordinated from the facility were capable of undermining public peace and security in the nation’s capital.

They equally urged the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC to commence contempt proceedings and other legal actions against members of the rival group over alleged impersonation, forgery and continued violation of court orders.

The forum further accused the Turaki-led camp of persistently misrepresenting judicial decisions, particularly recent judgments on the PDP leadership dispute, and promised to make available certified true copies of relevant court judgments to journalists to counter what it described as misinformation.

While reaffirming support for the current party leadership, the chairmen commended the NWC for what they called its inclusive leadership style and successful conduct of the party’s activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They cited the sale of nomination forms, conduct of party primaries, emergence of Prof. Sandy Onor as the PDP’s presidential candidate, electronic submission of candidates to INEC and the subsequent publication of candidates’ particulars by the electoral commission as evidence that the recognised leadership remained fully operational.

The forum urged party members across the country to remain calm and united, insisting that the PDP remained a strong political institution capable of reclaiming power.

“The PDP is bigger than any individual or group. It is an institution built on sacrifice, law and the will of the people. We will not allow a few expelled persons to hijack that legacy,” the chairmen said.