The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under pressure not to recognise its National Working Committee (NWC) elected at its National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo on November 15.
PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Ini Emembong on Tuesday, said even though INEC monitored and participated in its National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed, and was also in receipt of the notice of the convention, the commission still went ahead to issue a letter explaining its inability to recognise and upload the data of the newly elected NWC members.
The party stated that there is a stay of execution filed against the judgements challenging the convention, adding that the Court of Appeal will soon hear and give judgement in the matters.
“Furthermore, the primaries in Ekiti and Osun were duly monitored by INEC, with communication emanating from the Turaki-led NWC,” PDP stated.
It reminded the commission that its constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and in the defence and protection of democracy.
The party drew the INEC’s attention to the Supreme Court judgements, specially in the case involving the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which was delivered last week, barring the commission from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties.
“The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP as all the legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN,” the statement added.
PDP noted that the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, PDP State Chairmen’s Forum, the Senate and House of Representatives caucuses, former Governors and Ministers’ Forum and other notable stakeholder groups have all met with and acknowledged the leadership of the current Turaki-led NWC.
It reminded INEC that democracy is hinged on majority rule, “so the committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu cannot be validly referred to as a faction of the PDP.”
The party accused INEC of hypocrisy and bias, and alleged that the commission “has continuously shown bias in this matter, even in the court, where they failed or refused to file documents that were in their possession and within their knowledge, obviously to aid those who are bent on killing the PDP and truncating democracy.
“If INEC under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting of Friday last week?”
It state that the meeting the party called last Friday was to paint a false perception of faction to justify its actions and inactions.
