By Hudu Yakubu, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned National Convention on the 15th to 16th November, until the party fully complies with all statutory requirements.
Speaking shortly after the verdict, the Minister described the ruling by Justice James Omotosho as a decisive blow against impunity within the party, stating that it reinforces the necessity of due process and adherence to the party’s Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Wike, during a meeting of eminent leaders and concerned stakeholders of the PDP, shared mixed emotions, calling the ruling a victory over impunity, yet expressing sadness over the unsettled state of the PDP.
He said, “We are happy that we have fought impunity, but we are not happy with what is going on. What is key for us is that we have made sacrifices. It has nothing to do with personal interest”, Wike stated, adding, “It’s unfortunate that the so-called National Convention cannot hold; it has never been bad like this in the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The Minister emphasised that an opposition party must operate with the highest level of integrity and adherence to rules to gain the public’s confidence and effectively wrestle power from the ruling party.
“The essence of opposition is to wrestle power from the ruling party. No opposition party carries on with impunity. We have to put our house together and follow due process to give confidence to the public that we are here to do things differently,” he added.
Wike absolved the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of blame for the PDP’s current predicament, insisting that the crisis is self-inflicted and driven by selfish interests and a disregard for foundation members.
He particularly condemned the practice of individuals sitting in their houses to unilaterally zone positions within the party, a practice he stressed has “never been this bad in the current democratic dispensation”.
“We are in a situation where people will violate and disregard members of the party… Some people thought that money is everything, but some of us can never be swayed. Some of us will stand by the truth no matter the inducement. But we will not allow impunity to continue to prevail,” Wike asserted.
The FCT Minister expressed profound thanks to the three aggrieved members who filed the suit and all party members who, he said, “were brave enough to challenge the illegality at the court”.
“You stood firm to say no, we will not allow this injustice. On behalf of all of us here, I want to sincerely thank you. Nobody will be intimidated for standing for what is right, he vowed.
Communique
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and read by former Abia State Governor, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the party leaders expressed profound appreciation for the judicial intervention, hailing it as a decisive step that restores legality and confidence in the party.
The PDP stakeholders affirmed that the court’s ruling not only upheld the supremacy of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, but also the INEC electoral guidelines and the PDP Constitution.
According to the communique, “We hereby express our profound appreciation to this judicial intervention that restores order, legality, and confidence in the PDP as a law-abiding institution.
“We restate our unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, justice, equity, and inclusivity, the founding pillars of our party, and we commend the judiciary for its courage in upholding truth over impunity.
“Our observations: that today’s judgment has affirmed the supremacy of the 1999 constitution as amended, the Electoral Act, the INEC electoral guidelines, and the PDP constitution and has clarified the lawful roles and boundaries of party officers in the management of its affairs,” part of the communique read.
Other key observations from the judgment, the communique stated, include: “That the judgment conclusively affirms that Chief Dan Orbih remains the authentic National Vice Chairman, South-South of the PDP and the purported appointment of Chief Emmanuel Ogidi is null and void.
“That by affirming the expulsion of Ali Odefa, the court has restored the integrity and discipline in the administration of the party, while emphasizing that persons expelled from the party have no locus standi to stand or litigate on its behalf.
“The court reaffirmed that all external correspondences to INEC must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary, while the National Secretary remains the principal signatory to all official correspondences of the party.
“The court further emphasized that no valid national convention of the party can hold until all due processes as stipulated by the 1999 constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act, INEC electoral guidelines, and the PDP constitution are fully complied with.
The stakeholders further noted that the plaintiff’s action was not an interference in internal party affairs but a “patriotic effort” to ensure that INEC enforces internal democracy within the political party administration in Nigeria.
The leaders commended the judiciary for its courage in “upholding truth over impunity” and asserted that the decision marks a crucial step toward sanitising Nigeria’s political system by reasserting the necessity of lawful, transparent, and accountable political processes.
The PDP leaders resolved to abide by the court’s judgment in its entirety and affirmed their unwavering faith in the judiciary.
“As loyal and committed party leaders, our doors are open to reconciliation, inclusion, and collective rebuilding,” the communique stated.
The PDP invited all genuine members across the country to join hands in restoring the party to its founding ideals of fairness, justice, equity, and inclusivity, urging all faithful members to stand on truth, justice, and the rule of law.
Party stalwarts present during the gathering include former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, former National Vice Chairman South South, Dan Orbih, serving Senators and members of the House of Representatives, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State Chairmen of the party, among others.