PDP crisis: Appeal court judgment victory for all

Caretaker committee steps up plan for national convention

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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Abdulraham Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the party’s leadership crisis is a victory for all members.

Mohammed, who stated this on Monday during an inspection of the National Stadium, Velodrome, the venue of the national convention being organised by the caretaker committee, implored PDP members to unite in the interest of the party.

The Court of Appeal had, in a judgment on Monday, nullified the PDP National Convention, which was held in Ibadan last November.

However, the caretaker committee chairman noted that the judgment is not a victory for any individual or group, stating that “unity is important for the party at this stage. Of course, you heard from the speech of the National Secretary yesterday—we call on all members of our party to come so that we can work together for the progress of the party and democracy in Nigeria.

“So, we are not claiming that the victory is for an individual or a certain group. It is a victory for all. And we should all put the Appeal Court (judgment) aside and work for the progress of the party.”

Earlier, Mohammed, while speaking after a meeting of the caretaker committee, stated that the import of the Appeal Court judgment is that his committee is the rightful leadership of the opposition party.

He said, “I want to make it clear at this time that the National Caretaker Working Committee remains the only national leadership recognised by the law and the party. The National Caretaker Working Committee is the only legitimate body that can present a candidate in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

“As such, I urge all stakeholders, party leaders, party members and supporters to rally around the National Caretaker Working Committee as we prepare to approach activities towards the 2027 general election.

“The court has spoken once again that the rule of law must prevail in our party’s internal affairs. As we continue to work together day and night towards the conduct of our national convention, we must continue to enlighten our members and supporters to understand the judgment delivered yesterday by the Appeal Court.”

On his part, the secretary of the caretaker committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, urged PDP members interested in contesting the 2027 polls on the platform of the party not to be afraid.

“I just want to use the opportunity to tell our party faithful, all those members who want to contest an election under the platform of the PDP, that they should not be afraid. They were thinking about who is going to sign their forms or not, but the Appeal Court has affirmed this Caretaker Working Committee.

“And by the time we have our convention, we will have a full-fledged National Working Committee of the party. And of course, if you are going to run in an election under the PDP, rest assured, you will not be disqualified.

“Rest assured that somebody is going to sign your form. Do not worry about the excuses given by those who have defected, that they are afraid of who is going to sign their signature.

“By April 1st, by then we would have gotten a full-fledged National Working Committee,” Anyanwu stated.