The governors-backed National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has rejected the recent convention organised by a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, describing it as illegitimate and a “jamboree.”
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC said the gathering violated ongoing legal proceedings and undermined efforts to resolve the party’s leadership crisis.
The faction also confirmed that it had approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria to seek a final determination of the dispute over the party’s leadership.
“We have taken this battle to the Supreme Court for the determination of all the issues relating to the leadership of our party,” Ememobong stated, expressing confidence that the apex court would resolve the matter in the interest of democracy.
The group alleged that the Wike-backed convention was held in defiance of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, where parties had agreed on a legal process to address the crisis.
It further disclosed that legal processes challenging the convention had already been served on the opposing faction.
The Turaki camp also reacted to a ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo Abdulmalik, which reportedly granted the Wike-aligned group access to the PDP national secretariat and directed security agencies to provide protection.
Describing the judgment as unfavourable, the faction said it had instructed its lawyers to file an appeal.
Amid the escalating crisis, the group accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Bola Tinubu, of allegedly orchestrating the internal conflicts to weaken opposition parties.
“These crises are clearly orchestrated… to foist a one-party state on the country,” the statement claimed, citing concerns over governance issues such as security and the economy.
The PDP has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis, leading to the emergence of rival factions. The governors’ bloc, backed by leaders including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, had earlier conducted a convention in Ibadan, producing Turaki and other NWC members.
However, the Wike-aligned faction later constituted a caretaker committee and proceeded with its own convention, electing Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
With both factions maintaining parallel structures, the PDP’s internal crisis appears set for a decisive legal showdown at the Supreme Court.
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