The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has threatened to take legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission for inviting the rival Wike-backed faction to represent the party at a meeting with political parties.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 5, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction described INEC’s action as “vexatious and capable of causing widespread breach of peace.”
The commission had invited leaders of political parties to a meeting on Thursday but extended the invitation to the faction led by a National Caretaker Committee backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
“We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution,” the statement read.
The Turaki faction accused INEC of partiality, noting that several matters concerning the party’s leadership crisis remain pending at the Court of Appeal.
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“Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, but it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal, which when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration; and exercised restraint, therefrom,” the statement added.
The faction vowed that INEC would not impose a leadership on the party.
“We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party,” it declared.
Despite the development, the Turaki faction urged members to remain calm, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would soon resolve the leadership dispute.
“We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges, to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians, as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians.”