2027: Udayi parades self as Authentic Gov’ship Candidate for PDP in C’River 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The Cross River PDP faces fresh crisis as a new candidate has emerged ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the country declaring himself the party’s authentic flag bearer pDCJulius Udayi,  presented himself at the NUJ Secretariat on Friday in Calabar, claimed to be the authentic flag bearer of the party.

Udayi said he is contesting under the Tanimu Turaki, SAN-led National Working Committee of the PDP.

Speaking to journalists, he said, “My name is Udayi Julius, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State under the leadership of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.” 

Udayi who was flanked by other candidates of the party in the state,  explained that the briefing was necessary to correct false claims by individuals parading themselves as PDP candidates in the state. 

“This press briefing has become necessary in response to the misleading narrative being presented to the people of Cross River State by certain individuals who are falsely parading themselves as candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.

He anchored his legitimacy on recent court judgments, insisting that the Turaki-led NWC remains the legally recognized leadership of the party.

 “Following the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, it is our position that the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership remains the authentic and legally recognized leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he declared.

He urged the public and relevant institutions to disregard any other list, stating, “We wish to state unequivocally that such claims do not represent the authentic leadership, structure, or duly recognized candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party”.

Udayi called on party faithfuls, INEC, security agencies and Cross Riverians to support the Turaki-led PDP for the “peace, progress and prosperity” of the state.

But in a swift reaction to the  Udayi’s claim, State publicity secretary of Nyesom Wike  led-faction said Udayi Should not be taken serious. 

He maintained that the authentic flag-bearer for the PDP Gov’ship Candidate In Cross River is Sir Authur Jarvis and no one else. Udayi is fake why not he visit the party Secretariate to organize his briefing. We have not seen Udayi in PDP Secretariate in the last 8 months.” Ojisi stated.