PDP warns Turaki, others to stop twisting Thursday’s judgement of Supreme court

• Dismisses purported take over of party by BoT, says no leadership vacuum

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned against what it called “a desperate attempt by a rejected group” to twist the clear facts contained in the Thursday’s judgement of the Supreme Court in order to mislead the public and seek undeserved sympathy.

The PDP has, similarly, dismissed the claim of the purported takeover of the party by its Board of Trustees (BoT) and summoning its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The National Publicity Secretary of the legally recognized PDP, Mr Jungudo Mohammed stated these on Friday during a press conference addressed at Wadata House national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

Mohammed made it clear that there is no provision in the Party’s constitution that grants the Board of Trustees the power to take over the leadership of the party or assume the functions of the National Working Committee.

The NPS stated further that the supreme Court judgement is a public document which can be accessed by anybody to ascertain its content.

Mohammed, who addressed journalists along with other members of the party, said, “Let it be clear and unambiguous that the Supreme Court judgment of yesterday (Thursday) only nullified the illegal Ibadan “convention” and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led purported National Working Committee for lacking in merit.

“This remains the sole substance of the judgment, contrary to the false narratives being circulated.

“The judgment did not uphold any suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party.

“The reason is simple: the issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, let alone the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.

“It was neither canvassed at the Federal High Court nor formed part of the questions for determination at any level of adjudication.

“The apex court addressed only the matter before it, which is the validity or otherwise of the so-called 15th and 16th Ibadan “convention.”

“Accordingly, throughout the Supreme Court judgment, there was no mention whatsoever of suspension or expulsion of any party officer.

“It is also important to state that there has never been a vacuum, obstruction, or absence of leadership in our party that presupposes an interim take over of the administration of the Party by any authority.

“The leadership structure of the PDP remains intact, lawful, and fully operational under the able National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, and our indefatigable National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Their positions remain duly recognized.

“What we are witnessing is a desperate attempt by a rejected group to twist the clear facts contained in the judgement of the Supreme Court in order to mislead the public and seek undeserved sympathy.

“I make it bold to say that the judgement is a public document which can be accessed by anybody to ascertain the content of the said judgement.

“The same individuals who disobeyed valid court orders to conduct the illegal Ibadan convention have continued in their pattern of lawlessness by assembling again, even after the Supreme Court has spoken.

“Their actions only reinforce what is already evident: an agenda set out with the sole intention to destabilize the Party.

“The general public should now understand who is committed to the survival of the PDP and who has been working tirelessly to undermine it”, he said.

On the issue of the purported takeover of the party by the Board of Trustees (BoT), or claims of summoning the National Executive Committee (NEC), Mohammed said, “there is no provision in the Party’s Constitution that grants the Board of Trustees the power to take over the leadership of the party or assume the functions of the National Working Committee.

“Most curious is the claim by Senator Adolphus Wabara, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees had long expired even before the onset of this crisis.

“The only known legitimate leadership of the Party’s Board of Trustees is that led by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

“Senator Adolphus Wabara should retrace his steps from making statements on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith. Any such infractions within the Party will no longer be tolerated.

“We urge the public, party members, and the media to disregard the nuisance and propaganda of Sen Wabara and his cohorts, and rather be guided by truth and legality”, he said.

Mohammed equally noted with concern “statements made in the media by Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise TV, who was neither present in court nor privy to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, yet has advanced the false narrative that the PDP is without leadership.

“This is most unfortunate. We call on him and others in similar positions to exercise greater professionalism and responsibility in their public commentary”, he said.