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Accuses Commission of Bias
- Safiu Kehinde
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated that no other faction exists within the party.
PDP made this known in reaction to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to recognise and include the Turaki-led PDP National Working Committee into the party’s profle.
NPO Reported that INEC had in a letter issued yesterday turned the PDP’s request to acknowledge and update the party’s profile with the names of the new national leaders elected during the Ibadan National ConventionNlast month.
The commission cited court’s order as reason for the refusal.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP maintained that no other faction exist withing the party, stressing that the said court judgements have been appealed.
Ememobong further disclosed INEC’s engagements with the Turaki-led PDP since the emergence of the new leaders.
“The said judgements have been appealed and an application for the stay of execution filed against the judgements, and very soon the Court of Appeal will hear and give judgement in the matters.
“While that is being awaited, it is needful to state that INEC monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed and was also in receipt of the notice of the convention- a fact the Commission has unconscionably suppressed in court in several cases.
“Furthermore, the primaries in Ekiti and Osun were duly monitored by INEC, with communication emanating from the Turaki-led NWC.
“While we appreciate the monumental pressure that INEC has come under (after all he who pays the piper dictates the tune), we remind them that their constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and in the defence and protection of democracy.” The statement partly read.
The PDP further reiterated that all legitimate structure of the party are under the control of Turaki, adding that the faction of expelled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, who are backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, should be not be considered as a faction of the party.
“While INEC claims to be neutral and is awaiting the Judgement of the court on the matter, we hope that they are minded by the judgements of the Supreme Court, especially in the SDP case, being the latest delivered last week, barring INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.
“The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP as all the legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the Party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN.
“In the past one month the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, former Governors and Ministers and many other notable stakeholder groups have all met with and acknowledged the leadership of the current National Working Committee, led by Turaki SAN.
“INEC must remember that democracy is hinged on majority rule, so the committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu cannot be validly referred to as a faction of the PDP.” The party stated.
PDP however accused INEC of bias, citing the commission’s refusal to file documents that were in its posssession to validate the legitimacy of the Turaki-led faction during a court hearing.
It accused INEC of being bent on killing the party while questioning its rationale behind the meeting with both factions of the party last week.
“Finally, having a held a meeting with the Commission last week, and our correspondence, thereafter, further explaining relevant issues relating to the current situation, we should ordinarily not respond to this letter, except to point out the hypocrisy and consistent bias that has completely coloured the action of the electoral umpire.
“INEC has continuously shown bias in this matter, even in the court, where they failed or refused to file documents that were in their possession and within their knowledge, obviously to aid those who are bent on killing the PDP and truncating democracy.
“If INEC under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting of Friday last week? Except to paint a false perception of faction to justify their actions and inactions.” The statement read further.
PDP urged all Nigerians, particularly, its members to remain calm, resolute and continue to support the rebirth and renaissance moves of the party.