The Peoples Democratic Party faction led by Kabiru Turaki has denied reports suggesting the party is organising congresses across the country.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the information being circulated about planned congresses was false and intended to mislead party members and the public.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 2, the PDP factional national chairman alleged that the reports were being spread by individuals who had been expelled from the party.
He claimed those behind the claims were now aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Our members and the general public are hereby notified that our party is not conducting congresses in any part of the country.
“The false information is being circulated by expelled members of our party, who now have clearly shown their unrelenting appendages to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a bid to kill our party and derail our democracy,” the statement read.
Turaki further accused the expelled members of prioritising personal interests over the survival of the party.
He alleged that some of them had struck political bargains with the ruling party in exchange for positions and other benefits.
According to him, “mortgaged the fate of our party to the President and the APC, in return for political appointments and other favours.”
Turaki said the party would not allow its platform to be used as a bargaining tool by individuals seeking political deals with the ruling party.
He referenced the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections as a recent example of the challenges confronting the party.
READ ALSO: Wike Defends Support For Tinubu, Criticises PDP Leadership
“This disposition is obviously against the principles of multiparty democracy, which is the best option for a heterogeneous and pluralistic society like ours,” Turaki said.
The factional chairman urged PDP members and the general public to disregard reports about the alleged congresses.
He explained that the party’s current focus is on digital membership registration.
“We therefore urge all our members and the general public to discountenance the said planned congresses in the said states. What the party is currently undertaking is the digital membership registration, which has commenced and is progressing well.”
Turaki also assured party members that the leadership would continue to keep them informed about developments within the party.
“We will keep our members updated about the developments concomitant with the new political realities unfolding.”
The statement comes at a time when divisions within the PDP have become more pronounced.
A faction linked to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has maintained that its proposed national convention scheduled for March 29 to March 30 will go ahead despite ongoing court cases.
The group said the Independent National Electoral Commission had already been formally notified about the planned convention.
However, the faction led by Turaki, which is aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has rejected the move.
The group insisted that the bloc associated with the FCT minister does not have the authority or legal standing to organise congresses for the party.