The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike-backed caretaker committee, describing the move as unconstitutional and provocative.
The Turaki-led NWC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Thursday, warned that it would pursue all available legal options to challenge the commission’s action.
The statement partly read, “We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing a widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal responses. Though not unexpected of this current INEC leadership, it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal (including the judgment which they are relying upon), which, when decided, will effectively affect the subject under consideration, and exercised restraint therefrom. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.
“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that, soonest, the Court of Appeal will hear and determine all the cases concerning the leadership of our party.
“We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all these challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party that has brought untold sorrows, tears, and blood to Nigerians.”