The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and loyal to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has condemned the recent action of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the leadership crisis in the party.
Naija News recalls that INEC on Thursday, held a meeting with leaders of political parties in Nigeria and extended an invitation to the PDP faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed as the National Chairman and loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
However, the Turaki faction, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the INEC action is in total disregard for pending court cases and is capable of causing widespread breach of peace.
Ememobong added that they may consider a legal response, noting that INEC should have exhibited restraint on the matter.
While insisting that INEC can’t determine the authentic PDP leadership, the statement accused INEC of bias.
The statement insisted that there is still no cause for alarm and expressed optimism that the Appeal Court will rule in favour of the Turaki faction.
“We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response. Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, but it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal (including the judgment which they are relying upon), which, when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.
“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party. We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians,” the statement read.
