State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party have dissociated themselves from a lawsuit aimed at stopping the party’s national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Forum of PDP State Chairmen, led by Edo State Chairman Tony Aziegbemi, declared on Wednesday, October 15, in Abuja, that it had no hand in the case filed by Austine Nwachukwu of Imo and Amah Abraham Nnana of Abia.
Aziegbemi said the forum remained committed to the unity, stability, and growth of the PDP.
The controversy stems from the party’s decision at its July 24 National Executive Committee meeting to hold a convention to elect 19 new members of the National Working Committee.
However, some loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, opposed the move, citing unresolved disputes over leadership and zoning arrangements.
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In a joint statement signed by Aziegbemi and the forum’s secretary, Edward Percy Masha, the chairmen accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to weaken the opposition by using internal divisions.
They condemned Nwachukwu and Nnana’s actions as “a betrayal of the party’s unity and collective resolve,” and announced their suspension from the forum.
Aziegbemi urged the PDP’s National Working Committee, led by Umar Damagum, to sanction any member involved in the court case, warning that external interference was an attempt to derail the PDP’s democratic process.
He said, “Some of us cannot be used to bring down this house. Nigerians should be wary of this APC-led administration, whose only goal is to stop the PDP from electing new leaders.”
The forum reaffirmed its confidence in the party’s leadership and pledged total support for a peaceful and credible convention in Ibadan.