Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the Supreme Court will ultimately determine the ongoing leadership tussle within the party, amid escalating tensions and legal battles over control of its structures.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the PDP had already approached the apex court to resolve all issues relating to its leadership and internal affairs.
According to the statement, recent developments within the party over the past 48 hours have raised concerns among members nationwide regarding the future of the party and Nigeria’s democracy.
“With the series of disturbing activities occurring in succession within the last 48 hours, genuine members of the Peoples Democratic Party across the country have expressed their concerns and are asking what the future holds for the party and our country’s democracy, by extension,” the statement read.
PDP Confirms Appeal at Supreme Court
The party assured its members and supporters that the matter has been formally taken to the Supreme Court for determination.
“To them, and other fair-minded, democracy-loving Nigerians, we reassure that we have taken this battle to the Supreme Court for the determination of all the issues relating to the leadership of our party, particularly as it relates to what constitutes an internal affair.”
The PDP further disclosed that appeal processes and related applications had been filed and served on all parties involved.
“With this appeal and the relevant concomitant applications filed and served on all the parties involved, we are hopeful that sooner, rather than later, the apex court will, in the interest of democracy, expeditiously hear and adjudicate on this matter.”
The party also rejected what it described as a “pre-Easter jamboree” allegedly organised by sympathisers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and allies of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we state that the pre-Easter jamboree of APC sympathisers and members of ‘Wike’s Autocratic Party’, which they mischievously tagged a PDP convention, was held in contempt of the Court of Appeal…”
The statement claimed that parties had already appeared before the Court of Appeal and agreed on the procedure for resolving the dispute before the controversial gathering was held.
“Furthermore, they were served with the processes of the appeal at the Supreme Court, as well as other suits challenging the holding of the said convention. The validity of that gathering is now a matter before the court, which we will diligently follow to its conclusion.”
The PDP also reacted to a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which reportedly granted access to the party’s national secretariat to the opposing faction.
“Additionally, the Federal High Court, Abuja, per Justice Abdulmalik, whom we had earlier applied to for recusal on the basis of her bias against us, expectedly delivered judgment this morning in favour of the Wike-backed APC apologists, granting them access to the PDP secretariat and directing security agencies to offer them protection while in occupation of the said secretariat.”
The party said it has directed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling.
“In response, we have directed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and other relevant applications against this judgment.”
The opposition party further alleged that the ongoing crisis was being orchestrated to weaken opposition voices ahead of future elections.
“On the whole, we must admit what is already public knowledge — these are very trying times for us, the PDP, and all opposition parties in Nigeria. These crises are clearly orchestrated by the Bola Tinubu-led APC government, who have shown morbid fear for the existence of alternative political platforms, and are determined to foist a one-party state on the country.”
The party argued that the alleged fear stems from dissatisfaction among Nigerians over governance issues.
“This fear is fuelled by their knowledge of the impending rejection Nigerians are waiting to serve them because of their abysmal performance in core governance issues like security, the economy, and social welfare.”
The PDP urged its members and Nigerians to remain hopeful as the Supreme Court prepares to hear the appeal.
“We urge our members and all Nigerians to keep hope alive in the sincere expectation that the apex court will come to the rescue of multi-party democracy in the appeal before them.”
The party concluded by stressing the significance of the Supreme Court’s role in protecting democratic principles.
“The Supreme Court now has the historic opportunity to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its earlier decisions on the jurisdiction of courts in internal affairs of political parties, when it has its final say.”