- Wike: Anyone Who Truly Loves The Party Should Not Take The Matter To Supreme Court
- Why I Dumped PDP For APC – Zamfara Gov, Dauda Lawal Opens Up
The crisis within opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, effectively upholding the nullification of the party’s Ibadan National Convention.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
The court held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have delivered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi (the right) to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing, as it claimed in its appeal.
The court further awarded the sum of N2 million as costs against the PDP (Turaki group) for filing a frivolous appeal. The court will hear other Judgements and rulings of the party.
Some PDP leaders from both sides were present as the appellate court delivered judgement on Monday.
Reacting to the judgement, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan as a wake-up call and an opportunity for members of the party to look inward and salvage the situation in order to move forward.
Speaking at his residence in Abuja on Monday shortly after visiting the Kwali Area Council as part of his thank-you tour, Wike said anyone who truly loves the party should not take the matter to the Supreme Court, as doing so would only prolong the internal crisis within the party.
“We have fought, let us now drop personal interest,” the minister said.
“If you are a lover of the party, you will not go to the Supreme Court. But if that is what they want, we are always ready.”
On the PDP convention, Wike reiterated that March 29 and 30, the dates earlier announced by the caretaker committee, remain unchanged, with preparations already in top gear.
The FCT Minister further disclosed that approval has been secured to host the convention at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.
National Sports Commission to conduct the convention at the Velodrome. We have started preparing for it, and it will hold by the grace of God,” he added.
Meanwhile, former National Secretary of the party and a member of the Wike’s faction, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has debunked reports claiming that the Appeal Court upheld his suspension.
Online reports had purported that the court upheld the suspension of Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature; the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.
However, addressing journalists after the Appeal Court ruled on the Ibadan convention, Anyanwu debunked the report, saying, “There was nothing like suspension. It was not before the court.”
In another development on the crisis rocking PDP, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has revealed dumped the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
It would be recalled that the governor officially defected to the APC on Monday.
A statement issued by the Director-General of the governor’s media team, Nuhu Salihu Anka, said the decision followed the protracted leadership tussle within the PDP.
According to the statement, the governor’s decision “was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.
“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.
“The governor emphasized that his primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State.
“Consequently, it became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the federal government for the benefit of the people.”
