From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that there is no faction within the party, declaring that the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN-led National Working Committee (NWC) remains the only legitimate leadership recognised by its constitution and organs.
The party said the clarification became necessary following a letter by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in which the Commission explained its inability to recognise and upload the details of the PDP’s leadership elected at the Ibadan national convention, citing subsisting judgements of the Federal High Court.
In a statement signed on Tuesday night by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP noted that the said judgments have been appealed, with applications for stay of execution already filed, adding that the Court of Appeal is expected to hear and determine the matters in due course.
The PDP stressed that INEC actively monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings where the date and venue of the Ibadan convention were unanimously agreed, and was duly notified of the convention. The party alleged that the Commission had failed to fully disclose these facts in court proceedings relating to the leadership dispute.
According to the party, INEC also monitored the PDP governorship primaries in Ekiti and Osun states, with all official correspondence emanating from the Turaki-led NWC, further underscoring the legitimacy of the current leadership.
While acknowledging the pressure facing the electoral umpire, the PDP reminded INEC that its constitutional duty is to Nigerians and the protection of democracy. It urged the Commission to be guided by recent Supreme Court judgements, particularly the decision in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) case delivered last week, which barred INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.
The party maintained that all legitimate organs and administrative structures of the PDP are under the control of the Turaki-led NWC, noting that within the past month, the Board of Trustees, PDP Governors’ Forum, state chairmen, National Assembly caucuses, former governors, ministers and other key stakeholder groups have met with and acknowledged the current leadership.
Ememobong added that democracy is anchored on majority rule, arguing that a small group aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu could not be described as a faction of the PDP.
The PDP further accused INEC of bias and hypocrisy, alleging that the Commission failed to present relevant documents in court despite being in possession of them, and questioned the rationale behind a recent meeting convened by INEC while the matter remains before the courts.
The party, however, urged its members nationwide to remain calm and resolute, assuring them that efforts to reposition and strengthen the PDP ahead of future elections remain on course.
