The breakaway faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to reopen its Abuja secretariat sealed at the weekend.
It also described the fracas over the representation of the “former National Executive” of the People’s Democratic Party of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur today at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos High court as testimony to the confusion that consumed the party under Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
On 2nd September 2013, the Ikeja Division of the Lagos High Court under Justice Ganiyu S. Safari had ordered both factions to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the motion on notice. He also directed that the defendants be served outside jurisdiction. Two days later, a Federal High Court in Abuja reaffirmed the ruling of Justice Safari, asking both parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing of the case. But while Baraje’s faction has been anticipating the determination of the motion, the other faction oversaw the sealing off of the former’s secretariat.
“In keeping with the ruling, the Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje executive obeyed the learned judges but was shocked at the sealing off of its secretariat under the instructions of Inspector General of Police, on 7thSeptember 2013, probably prompted by the Tukur faction of PDP leadership in its usual fashion of lawlessness and supported by their cronies in government,” National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said.
“In view of the ruling ordering both parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case, PDP national executive committee wishes to request the Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar to immediately unseal its National Secretariat in Abuja and allow it to operate unhindered.”
The Baraje faction restated its resolve to respect and uphold democratic tenets and the rule of law, especially as the Judiciary is the bastion of democracy and the last hope of the common man, saying this is why it again approached the court to interpret its former ruling that two factions should maintain the status quo and assist in deciding the legality or otherwise of the sealing off of its national secretariat by the Police on the orders of the Inspector General of Police.
However, Tukur’s faction could not agree on a common counsel to represent them, forcing the Lagos High Court to adjourn the case till 17th September 2013. The High Court in Lagos once again ruled on the legitimacy of the PDP under the leadership of Baraje and maintained that the status quo should be maintained until the determination of the motion on notice.
Baraje’s faction therefore appealed to IGP Abubakar to immediately unseal the its secretariat to allow it continue its lawful activities and set the party on the path of victory in all the coming elections.
“The party views the continued sealing off of our offices as barbaric, undemocratic and an abuse and demonstration of naked power, the very elements that characterised Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s leadership,” Eze added.
“No matter the odds, it is our resolve as a group to rescue PDP from the hands of undemocratic elements and draconian rule which have been the lot of our political party under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
“We remain committed to the vision of the founding fathers of our great party and will not be deterred in our determination to entrench democratic principles within our party irrespective of the odds and threat to our lives.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate our determination and will to restore peace in the PDP. We wish to commend the judiciary for living up to its reputation as has been clearly shown by the decision of both the high court in Lagos and Abuja.”
He also appealed to all its loyalists to remain calm, loyal and also desist from making any inflammatory statement that may undermine the efforts of the PDP Peace Committee chaired by former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
