INEC Cannot Choose Leadership For PDP – Turaki

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that has factionalized the Party, leading to mass defection and legal cases in Court is worsening.

This has prompted the Taminu Turaki led National Working Committee, NWC, PDP, to categorically state that Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cannot appoint leadership for the Party.

This disclosure was made by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, while reacting to INEC’s Quarterly Consultative Meeting with political parties, attended by the Abdulraman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee, NCC.

Ememobong also stated that the PDP is not aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting yesterday (Thursday).

“We are also aware that INEC extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.

“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal response.

“Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, but it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal.

“This include the judgment which they are relying upon, which, when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom.

“We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party,” Ememobong said.

He, however, urged all PDP members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest, the Court of Appeal would hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of the party.

“We assure that the rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure.

“It will ultimately surmount all these challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party,” he said.