PDP's Digital Registration Surpasses 4.2 Million Members
The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing digital registration exercise, recording over 4.2 million members nationwide. This development underscores the party's sustained grassroots support despite internal challenges and recent defections.
Registration Details and Demographics
According to the party's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, data from the PDP portal revealed that as of midnight on March 31, 2026, a total of 4,264,675 members had been registered within a three-week period. Ememobong described the exercise as "herculean," noting it required extensive mobilisation of volunteers and resources to reach both rural and urban communities under a tight timeframe set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A breakdown of the data shows:
- Average registration per polling unit: 24 members
- Average per ward across 8,809 wards: 484 members
- Gender distribution: 2,336,069 male members and 1,928,606 female members, with a margin of just over nine per cent
- Age demographics: youths aged 18-40 years constituted 40.3% of registrants, followed by those aged 41-60 years at 30.7%, and members aged 61 and above at 28.9%
- Geographic distribution: South-West led with 953,954 members, followed by South-South (917,652), North-Central (757,502), North-West (754,935), North-East (646,305), and South-East (234,327)
Ememobong emphasised that this achievement demonstrates the electorate's loyalty to the PDP, with millions resisting pressures to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated that this support places a responsibility on the party's leadership to safeguard their political future.
Court Vacates Arrest Warrant for Kabiru Turaki
In a related development, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, vacated a bench warrant issued on March 26 for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, the factional National Chairman of the PDP. Justice Peter Kekemeke made the ruling following an oral application by Turaki's lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, and Turaki's appearance in court.
During the proceedings, Uche apologised for his absence on the previous date, claiming he was out of the country and returned earlier in the day, heading straight to court. The prosecution, represented by Usman Rabiu, did not oppose Uche's applications.
Justice Kekemeke noted that Turaki attended court voluntarily before the arrest warrant could be executed and that his lawyer had apologised, though the reason for the absence remained unclear. The judge elected to pardon the defendant and vacated the arrest warrant, adjourning the case until April 22 for Turaki's arraignment on a one-count charge, marked CR/647/2026, brought by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
This ruling provides a temporary reprieve for Turaki as the PDP continues to navigate its internal dynamics and electoral preparations.
