The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated that there is no faction within the party, insisting that both in law and in fact, the PDP remains united under its legitimately elected leadership.
The party made this assertion in response to a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in which the Commission cited judgments of the Federal High Court as the reason it could not recognise or upload the details of the PDP leadership elected at the party’s convention in Ibadan.
According to the PDP, the said judgments have already been appealed, and applications for a stay of execution have been filed, with the Court of Appeal expected to hear and determine the matters soon.
The party stressed that INEC monitored and participated in National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings where the convention’s date and venue were unanimously agreed, and also received formal notice of the convention facts it alleged INEC has failed to fully disclose in court proceedings.
The PDP further noted that INEC duly monitored the party’s governorship primaries in Ekiti and Osun states, with all official communications coming from the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
While acknowledging the pressure faced by the electoral umpire, the party reminded INEC that its constitutional duty is to Nigerians and the protection of democracy.
Citing recent Supreme Court judgments, particularly in the SDP case delivered last week, the PDP warned that INEC is barred from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.
It maintained that all legitimate organs and administrative structures of the PDP remain under the control of the Turaki-led NWC.
The party also disclosed that key stakeholder groups including the Board of Trustees, PDP Governors’ Forum, state chairmen, National Assembly caucuses, former governors and ministers have met with and recognised the current NWC leadership.
It argued that a group it described as “friends of Wike and Anyanwu” cannot be regarded as a faction of the PDP, emphasizing that democracy is based on majority rule.
The PDP accused INEC of hypocrisy and consistent bias, alleging that the Commission failed to present crucial documents in court that were in its possession, thereby aiding attempts to undermine the party.
It questioned the rationale behind a recent meeting convened by INEC while the matter was still before the courts, suggesting it was designed to create a false impression of factionalism.
The party concluded by urging Nigerians and its members nationwide to remain calm and resolute, while continuing to support what it described as the rebirth and renaissance of the PDP as it repositions itself for success in upcoming elections.
