The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) remains the legitimate leadership of the party which was duly elected at the Ibadan Convention legally and firmly on the saddle.
Similarly, the party's state chairmen led by Edo State PDP chairman, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, has pledged total solidarity and unflinching support for the Turaki-led NWC as constituted by the Ibadan National Convention.
The Forum of National Ex-officios Forum of the PDP rejected the judgment saying it was a misadventure.
Recall that a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State had annulled the party's National Convention which elected the Turaki-led NWC.
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While the Turaki-led PDP said it would appeal the judgement, the rival camp led by the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the judgement was a welcome development.
Reacting however, chairman of PDP's BoT Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the judgment was technically of no effect and at best, academic as the central and fundamental issues in the matter are already before the Court of Appeal.
He said it was concerning that the court, in declining the order of mandamus sought by our party on the ground that such would amount to sitting on appeal over the judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, went beyond the boundaries to grant reliefs that were not prayed by any of the parties in the case.
The former Senate president added, "In any case, the BoT notes that our party has already filed an appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution. This puts the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan in abeyance and retains the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee which was duly elected at the Ibadan Convention legally and firmly on the saddle.
"The BoT as the conscience and second highest Organ of the party assures all members of the PDP, our teeming supporters and indeed the general public that the Turaki-led NWC is securely in place and there is no cause for alarm.
"The Board reaffirms its commitment and support for the Turaki-led NWC in its efforts to stabilise and strengthen the party on the path of victory ahead of the 2027 general elections," the BoT said.
On its part, the forum of PDP State chairmen, also said it is concerned that the judgment in question declined the relief of mandamus sought by the party, while proceeding to grant reliefs that were neither prayed for nor canvassed by any of the parties before the court.
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Aziegbemi, in a statement, further noted that the said judgment stands in material conflict with subsisting judgments and orders of courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject matter.
He said it was reassuring that the party has already exercised its constitutional right of appeal and filed the appropriate motions for stay of execution, in line with established legal principles and democratic norms.
"We align fully with the position of the National Working Committee under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) that this judgment represents only one step in an ongoing judicial process, especially as the substantive issues are already before the Court of Appeal for determination.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen affirms that the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains the lawful, recognised, and operational leadership of our Party, and continues to enjoy the confidence and loyalty of PDP structures across the 30 states of the Federation," he said.
In like manner, the Forum of National Ex-officios Forum of the PDP, in a statement by its national chairman, Hon. (Engr.) Clement O. Faboyede, said the court's action represents a clear departure from established judicial restraint and procedural propriety, and raises serious questions regarding the limits of judicial intervention.
The forum however pledged support to the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led NWC, adding it was duly elected at the Ibadan National Convention and "remains legally constituted, validly recognized, and firmly in control of the affairs of the Party."
