By Peter Omopo
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no constitutional authority to choose or determine the leadership of the party.
The position was stated by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, following INEC’s recent quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. The meeting, which was convened to discuss electoral matters, included representatives of the Abdulrahman Mohammed–led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the PDP.
Reacting to the development, Ememobong said issues relating to the leadership of the PDP are strictly internal affairs guided by the party’s constitution, stressing that INEC cannot appoint or influence party executives.
He expressed concern that INEC extended an invitation to individuals he described as former party members, who are laying claim to a non-existent National Caretaker Committee.
“We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting on Thursday. We are also aware that the commission invited some former members of our party, who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent the PDP, despite the fact that there is no such provision in our constitution,” Ememobong said.
He warned that INEC’s action, which he described as provocative and capable of causing tension, would be challenged through all available legal means.
According to him, the commission ought to have exercised restraint, especially in view of the pending cases before the Court of Appeal concerning the party’s leadership, including judgments being relied upon by the commission that could still be affected by ongoing litigation.
“Though this action may not be unexpected of the current INEC leadership, an impartial umpire should have taken cognisance of the matters pending before the Court of Appeal and exercised restraint,” he said.
Ememobong assured party members that INEC would not be allowed to impose a leadership structure on the PDP, urging them to remain calm and orderly as the legal process runs its course.
He expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would soon resolve all issues relating to the party’s leadership and reaffirmed that the PDP’s ongoing rebirth movement under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki, SAN, remains firm.
“We are confident that the rebirth movement of our party is steady and secure. It will overcome these challenges and ultimately present a stronger, more united PDP to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party,” he added.
