Photo: Kabiru Turaki
By Mandy Park
Kabiru Turaki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional national chairman, is to be arrested by order of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court
Justice U.P. Kekemeke issued the order following Turaki’s failure to appear before the court in a case filed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP.
The judge held that Turaki has no justification for failing to appear before the court.
The IGP had filed a one-count charge against Turaki for allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.
Although all details of the ruling were not immediately made public, a source familiar with the matter indicated that the decision was tied to contempt proceedings and ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of party leadership structures.
Turaki, who has been laying claim to a factional leadership position within the PDP, is said to have been involved in a protracted internal conflict that has split party stakeholders along opposing lines.
The crisis has led to multiple court cases, with rival groups seeking judicial validation of their claims to leadership.
Legal analysts note that the arrest order signals the judiciary’s readiness to enforce its rulings amid rising tensions in political party affairs.
It also highlights the increasing reliance on the courts to resolve intra-party disputes in Nigeria.
Efforts to reach Turaki or his representatives for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. Similarly, the PDP’s national leadership has yet to issue an official statement on the development.
Observers warn that the situation could further strain the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements, as internal divisions continue to threaten its stability and electoral prospects.
More details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
