ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has declared the national convention backed by Nyesom Wike as illegal, accusing organisers of acting in contempt of court.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group said the convention was held despite an existing appeal before the Supreme Court challenging an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The faction insisted that parties involved had already appeared before the appellate court and agreed on how to proceed, making the conduct of the convention a violation of due process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we state that the pre-Easter jamboree of APC sympathisers and members of ‘Wike’s Autocratic Party’, which they mischievously tagged a PDP convention, was held in contempt of the Court of Appeal,” the statement read.
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It further disclosed that processes relating to the appeal had been served on all parties, including suits challenging the legitimacy of the convention, adding that the matter is now before the court for final determination.
The group also revealed that a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Wike-backed faction access to the PDP national secretariat and directed security agencies to provide protection, a decision it said it would challenge.
“In response, we have directed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and other relevant applications against this judgment,” the statement added.
While acknowledging internal tensions within the party, the faction described the situation as a difficult period for the PDP and opposition politics in Nigeria.
It further alleged that the crisis was being orchestrated by the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of attempting to weaken opposition parties and push the country toward a one-party state.
The group, however, expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would resolve the dispute and safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.