ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday dismissed claims by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that a Court of Appeal judgment had overturned a High Court decision recognising the caretaker committee that produced the party’s current National Working Committee.
Speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike described those promoting the claim as “419s of different types and forms,” insisting that the Appeal Court’s decision did not invalidate the caretaker committee as alleged.
The former Rivers State governor expressed concern that a lawyer could present a version of the judgment different from what the court actually ruled, warning that such conduct could attract professional sanctions.
“When a lawyer will come out to give different information, different from what the court has said, it is really unfortunate. You went on appeal and they say your appeal is dismissed.
“If your appeal was upheld, then you would have said, oh, it is correct, your appeal was upheld. But they said your appeal is hereby dismissed. There is no life in it again. What it means is that you have lost and you have lost,” Wike stated.
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He maintained that it was illogical for anyone whose appeal had been dismissed to portray the outcome as a victory, noting that the appellate court had also referenced an earlier Supreme Court decision on the disputed convention.
According to him, the court made it clear that the convention had already been nullified by the Supreme Court, leaving no fresh issue for determination.
“The appeal court said, look, we have nullified this convention before. The Supreme Court has nullified this convention before. What are we going to say again? So there’s no more live issue,” he said.
Wike challenged members of the faction to take their position to the Independent National Electoral Commission, which was a party in the suit, rather than making public declarations that he said were intended to mislead supporters.
“It is not a question of coming to the public to say different things, telling lies. If it has been invalidated, let them go to INEC now,” he said.
The minister added that the issue would become clearer when INEC publishes the list of candidates submitted by political parties ahead of future elections.
Wike also questioned the faction’s claim that it had produced a presidential candidate, noting that the individual being projected had not publicly acknowledged the purported nomination.
“They say they have a presidential candidate. Why not wait? Presidential candidate they say, have not made any statement. You are contesting the election on behalf of somebody. I don’t know when Nigeria has gone to the point that you are running, I’m the one that will run on behalf of you,” he said.