Key Takeaways
- PDP chairmen from all 36 states and FCT call for an investigation into alleged forgery by a rival group.
- They emphasize the importance of maintaining the rule of law and party integrity amidst rising tensions.
- The chairmen seek intervention from the party's National Working Committee and other influential figures.
In a significant move underscoring the ongoing tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chairmen from the PDP representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory convened in Abuja on Monday to call for an investigation into what they termed as alleged forgery and distortion of court judgments by a rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN. The coalition of state party leaders asserted that 'Nigeria is a nation of laws, not of propaganda,' emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The chairmen expressed concern that the leadership disputes have escalated beyond mere internal disagreements, posing a threat to public order and the party's legal standing. They are pushing for intervention from the party's National Working Committee, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Wike, and former President Goodluck Jonathan to help restore peace within the party.
Hon Austin Nwachukwu, the Chairman of the PDP Chairmen’s Forum, emphasized that their actions stem from a commitment to defend the party’s integrity rather than from any personal grievances. Alongside Secretary Hon. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, Nwachukwu endorsed a petition urging relevant authorities to look into the matter. They stated, 'No group of expelled and recalcitrant individuals should be allowed to substitute court pronouncements with press statements.'
According to the forum, the only legitimate leadership of the PDP is the one recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts, led by Alh Abdulraham Mohammed as National Chairman and Sen. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as National Secretary. They firmly rejected any claims to the contrary, which they described as an act of identity theft.
The chairmen further appealed to Goodluck Jonathan to take a stand against the unauthorized use of his name by the rival group, alleging that it has been improperly submitted to INEC without sanction. They reminded Jonathan of his guiding principle: 'My ambition is not worth the blood of a single Nigerian.' They called upon him to directly address the nation and distance himself from the ongoing strife.
In their statement, the chairmen also urged the Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee to consider contempt proceedings against those expelled members over supposed impersonation and forgery. They called on security agencies to investigate these allegations thoroughly, warning that the actions of the rival faction could threaten public peace.
The forum specifically mentioned a building in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, which they allege is being used for activities that could disrupt public order, and have requested Wike to conduct a security review of the premises.
To counter misleading interpretations of court rulings, the chairmen plan to provide journalists with certified true copies of relevant judgments. They praised the efforts of the National Working Committee in managing the sale of nomination forms and facilitating party primaries, which led to the selection of Prof Senator Sandy Onor as the PDP presidential candidate.
Despite the tumult, the chairmen urged party members to remain calm and united. 'The PDP is bigger than any individual or group of individuals. It is an institution built on sacrifice, law, and the will of the people. We, the 36 States and FCT Chairmen, will not allow a few expelled persons to trample or hijack that legacy,' they declared.
Why This Matters
The unfolding leadership crisis within the PDP is significant, not only for the party's internal dynamics but also for Nigeria's political landscape. As various factions vie for control, the ruling of law and procedural integrity remains crucial to ensuring stability within the party and by extension, in the nation.