PDP chieftain rejects INEC-recognized faction

…says ‘original’ PDP will contest 2027 elections

By Lateef Ibrahim

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Umar Sani, has rejected the faction of the party recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), insisting it does not represent the “original” PDP.
Sani stated this on Tuesday during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television, monitored in Abuja, while reacting to the recent Federal High Court judgment that struck out the Taminu Turaki-led faction’s suit against INEC.
The court had dismissed the suit seeking an order compelling the electoral umpire to recognize and publish the names of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the party.
Reacting to the ruling, Sani maintained that the INEC-recognized leadership was inconsistent with the vision of the PDP’s founding members.
“The INEC-recognized PDP is a contraption, far cry from the design of the founding fathers. It is not the original PDP, and we do not accept it,” he said.
He disclosed that the party’s Board of Trustees had already approached the court to challenge the situation and vowed to pursue the matter to its conclusion.
According to Sani, many Nigerians do not identify with the faction recognized by INEC, expressing confidence that what he described as the “real PDP” would eventually appear on the ballot.
“The Board of Trustees, which is the conscience of the PDP, has instituted a matter in court, and that matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion.
“Most Nigerians do not believe in the INEC-recognized PDP. However, we believe the real PDP will be on the ballot. The process has begun.
“The process of interpreting the judgments of both the Appeal and Supreme Courts is being interrogated. The PDP is the only legacy party still standing, and we will refuse to let it die,” he said.