The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is not aware of any court order stopping it from holding its National Convention scheduled to commence today.
The spokesman of the caretaker committee, Jungudo Mohammed, who stated this while speaking on preparations for the convention, said all is set for the exercise, which is scheduled to be held in Abuja.
According to him, the convention will mark a defining moment in the opposition party and reaffirm its respect for due process and dedication to the will of the people.
The PDP has been polarised since the party’s convention in Ibadan, which produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) last November. The Turaki-led NWC enjoys the support of Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde of Bauchi and Oyo states, respectively.
In the aftermath of the Ibadan convention, loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, inaugurated a 13-man caretaker committee headed by Abdulraham Mohammed to pilot the affairs of the opposition party pending the conduct of a fresh convention.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on March 9, nullified the convention and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had directed the opposition party not to go ahead with the exercise.
Mohammed stated that “the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) has worked tirelessly to ensure that this convention is not only credible and transparent but also inclusive and reflective of the collective aspirations of our members across the country. All necessary arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth, peaceful, and successful exercise.
“We wish to assure all party faithful and the general public that this convention is being conducted in full compliance with the constitution of our party and in line with all relevant laws. The PDP remains a law-abiding institution, committed to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
“On recent developments, including attempts by certain individuals to disrupt this process, we urge all members to remain calm and focused. The party has consistently extended the hand of reconciliation, and that door remains open. However, we will not allow the progress and stability of our great party to be undermined.”
Mohammed, while responding to questions on the appeal to the Supreme Court by the Turaki bloc, stated that “as you have heard, the convention will go ahead tomorrow, and all arrangements have been concluded. Any reports or insinuations you refer to are, for now, things we are only seeing on social media. By the grace of God, on 29 March, the convention will hold as scheduled.”
He added, “On the issue of an injunction or appeal, we are not aware of any court order or appeal filed anywhere. If anything exists, it may well be in the realm of social media. We have not been served, and we cannot comment on what we do not know.”
The spokesman, who noted that the caretaker committee has the backing of the law, added, “We have complied with all party regulations and processes. We are fully compliant, 100 per cent compliant. By the grace of God, the convention will hold tomorrow.”
Credit: The Sun