The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained that it remains the party’s only lawful leadership despite a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Ibadan.
In a statement, the party said it has briefed its legal team on the ruling and will await the outcome of proceedings at the appellate court, urging members to remain steadfast in efforts to reposition and rebuild the PDP.
A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16 in the state capital, restraining the leadership elected at the convention from presenting themselves as the party’s national executives.
Earlier, a Federal High Court in Abuja had declined to grant an order nullifying the same elections and adjourned the case to allow for the determination of an appeal already filed on the matter.
The statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, reads, “We are aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered this morning, which essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought on the ground that doing so would, in the courts view, amount to sitting on appeal over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“We have accordingly briefed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and to take all further legal steps necessary to advance our arguments and firmly protect our position on this matter.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken, as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”
