The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for formally recognising the Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led PDP Caretaker National Working Committee, in line with a recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Chief Jude Udeachara, the party said INEC’s decision, evident in its invitation to the Mohammed/Anyanwu-led CNWC to a quarterly strategic engagement with political party leaders,”is a clear affirmation of the commission’s respect for the rule of law, equity, justice, and due process.”
According to the statement, INEC’s action has brought an end to the party’s leadership crisis and followed “the unambiguous ruling of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, which nullified the purported PDP convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2015.”
The court, the party said, further restrained beneficiaries of the annulled convention, “popularly referred to as the Aminu Turaki-led group, from parading themselves as members of the PDP National Working Committee.”
It added that by extending its invitation exclusively to the Mohammed/Anyanwu-led CNWC, INEC had demonstrated compliance with a subsisting court order and “decisively foreclosed parallel claims to the national leadership of the PDP by the Turaki/Makinde faulty Ibadan gathering.”
“This step, the Abia PDP believes, provides much-needed clarity and institutional certainty in the party’s engagement with the electoral umpire,” the statement read.
The party described the development as a significant milestone in restoring order, legality and internal coherence within the PDP at the national level, especially as preparations for a credible national convention and future electoral activities gather momentum.
“With INEC’s position now clearly aligned with judicial pronouncement, the party is optimistic that attention will shift toward reconciliation, unity and the stabilisation of PDP structures across the country,” it stated.
The Abia PDP reiterated its commitment to due process and urged party members to respect the rule of law and work collectively to strengthen the party at the ward, local government, state and national levels.
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