By Chika Eze, Abuja
Three Factional Members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on members of the party to shun the planned Ibadan Convention, insisting that the party’s national convention cannot legally hold, citing multiple court judgments and the findings of the Wabara-led BoT Reconciliation Committee.
Bar. George Turna (South-South Zonal Secretary), Amah Abraham (Abia State Chairman), and Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), stated this on Friday in Abuja,
George Turna said their resort to the Federal High Court followed “undemocratic practices” in the build-up to the proposed convention, particularly the failure to conduct state congresses in line with the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.
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“We expected guidelines, we expected a timetable, we expected procedures, none were issued,” he stated. “Congress was not properly conducted in at least 14 states. One wonders how a national convention can proceed while disenfranchising delegates from 14 states,” he emphasised.
According to Turna, the BoT committee’s interaction with the NWC confirmed their concerns.
He noted that “even the suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, admitted that the National Organizing Secretary was running what he called a one-man show.”
He emphasized that the BoT committee recommended that the convention should only proceed if the legal environment was favourable and if INEC was able to monitor it, adding, “Instead of implementing these recommendations, some individuals have jettisoned the report and insist on a convention. Nigerians must know who is on the side of the law.”
He also maintained that the factional Acting National Chairman and National Secretary have already declared that “there will be no convention anywhere in Nigeria,” insisting that they are the only officers constitutionally empowered to issue convention notices.
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Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman) revealed that another judgment has been delivered by Justice Lifu in a suit filed by former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido.
According to him, in the judgment, “Lamido was wrongfully denied the right to obtain forms to contest, therefore the court ordered that he must be allowed to participate in any future convention and cautioned the PDP against acts of impunity. This judgment again vindicates our position.”
He urged the faction’s new BoT Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, and the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, to implement the BoT report, adding, “We deserve commendation for having the courage to challenge illegality. If we truly love the PDP, we must obey the court.”
Amah Abraham (PDP Chairman, Abia State) highlighted the stature of members of the reconciliation committee, describing them as “six eminent Nigerians representing all geopolitical zones,” and stressed that implementing their recommendations “will restore sanity amidst the ongoing crisis.”
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The leaders concluded that obeying court orders, respecting the BoT report, and returning the party to constitutional order remain the only paths to a credible and lawful convention.