Turaki Says No Cause For Alarm As INEC Recognises Wike-backed PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national caretaker committee  led by Abdulraham Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

This followed the commission’s invitation of the caretaker committee to a meeting of political parties geared towards the general elections.

The faction backed by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike,  represented the crisis-ridden party at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the electoral body yesterday.

Recall that the faction led by Barr. Tanimu Turaki was recently sacked by the Federal High Court.

Similarly, the caretaker committee of the Labour Party led by Senator Nenadi Usman was also spotted at the meeting.

The chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said on Wednesday during a media stakeholders’ meeting, part of the consultations for the 2027 elections, that INEC has decided to respect the judicial decision recognising the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party.

He added that the Commission is always ready to comply with any further court judgment that may supersede the existing verdicts.

In his reaction, the national publicity secretary of Turaki-led PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said there was no cause for alarm over INEC’s invitation to Wike-led PDP to represent the party.

He said “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 (including 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.

“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that soonest the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party. We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians,”

Meanwhile, Turaki has said the PDP was the only people-oriented party in the country and that the party would be on the ballot in the 2027 general elections.

He stated this in Asaba yesterday where he inaugurated of the State Caretaker Committee of the party, urging party faithfuls to give their total support and encouragement to the Delta state Caretaker Committee.

The Caretaker committee that has Prof. Sylvester Monye as its Chairman, is to serve for three months and expected to organise the party’s congresses across the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Turaki, represented by the South South Caretaker Chairman of the PDP,  Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, expressed optimism that the court cases that the party was facing would soon come to an end.

“PDP is the only party today in the country that has not changed its logo; that has not changed its name; that is people-oriented. PDP is the only people-oriented party in the country,” he said.

He expressed happiness with the large turnout for the inauguration, saying that “we are here to rebuild PDP.”

Board of Trustees, BOT, members of the party, Chief Ejiofor Onyia, Dr. Esther Uduehi and Chief Clement commented on the party faithful for their continued support for the party.

In his remarks, the party’s caretaker committee chairman in the state, Prof Sylvester Monye noted that “Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta.” saying that the PDP would beat any party in any election in the state.

“Our job is very simple; Our job is to stay in office for 90 days to enable us organise credible congresses that will generate the next executive. I can assure you that we will not stay one day longer in office than 90 days” Monye posited.

Monye said the PDP was out to give the country party democracy that had never been seen before. “A democracy based on the people in line with the mantra of the party that is Peoples Democratic Party.”