PDP crisis: Turaki led NWC heads for Supreme Court
By Ndukaku Ihe
The Tanimu Turaki led National Working Committee ( NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the opposition party’s National Convention, held in Ibadan, last November, at the Supreme Court.
The NWC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, noted that “the battle is not over,” and stated that there is need for the apex court to conclusively adjudicate on the issue.
The Court of Appeal, in a judgment, yesterday, nullified the convention, while upholding two judgment of the Federal High Court, in Abuja, which directed the opposition party not to go ahead with the convention, until it meets certain requirements.
However, the Turaki led NWC, while stating that the judgment is capable of inflicting hardship on PDP, said it directed its lawyer to appeal to the Supreme Court, while it consults with party organs on the way forward.
The statement read, “earlier today, the Court of Appeal delivered a judgment on appeals arising from the judgments delivered by Justice Omotosho and Justice Lifu, and a ruling by Justice Abdulmalik. The panel of the Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, upheld the suspension of the National Legal Adviser (and by extension other officers like the National Secretary and National Organising Secretary).
“The Court also upheld the judgments of Justices Omotosho and Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The appeal against the interlocutory orders of Justice Abdulmalik was dismissed.
“The operationalisation of this judgement will, without fail, work untold hardship on our members. To avert this, while we are consulting with critical organs of our party on the way forward, we have also instructed our lawyers to immediately take legal steps to appeal same to the Supreme Court-being the apex court in the land; to conclusively adjudicate on this matter. We are hopeful that the apex court will expeditiously settle this matter in the interest of democracy.
“We urge our members to stand firm, trusting that soon this battle will be over and we shall be more than conquerors. The battle to rescue our party from the hands of government agents masquerading as opposition leaders must be fought, and we are determined to do so and win.”
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the opposition party, Gbenga Hashim has implored party leaders on both sides to close ranks.
Hashim, who is also a presidential hopeful, in his reaction to the judgment, said leaders from the contending sides had already agreed in principle to harmonise their positions through ongoing talks and negotiations.
According to him, “this is a family quarrel that must now end at the Appeal Court. Leaders on both sides have agreed in principle to unite and harmonise positions in all the talks and negotiations we have heard.”
Hashim expressed optimism that the reconciliation efforts would succeed, noting that party members and Nigerians at large are looking forward to a united opposition.
He added that “We trust that this unity would be achieved by the grace of God. Nigerians earnestly expect this and posterity demands it.”
