Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have vowed to protect what they described as the party’s legal identity.
They insisted they would not allow any group to undermine its recognised leadership.
The chairmen made the declaration on Monday in Abuja while addressing journalists over the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its chairman, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, said the group was acting out of a sense of responsibility to preserve the integrity of the PDP and uphold the rule of law. The forum’s Secretary, Hon. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, also endorsed the position.
The chairmen said Nigeria is governed by the rule of law and should not allow expelled members of the party to replace valid court decisions with public statements or media campaigns.
“There is only one recognised leadership of the PDP, led by the National Working Committee under our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulraham Mohammed, and our National Secretary, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu,” the forum said.
“There is also only one PDP recognised by INEC and by the courts. We reject this identity theft and demand that the relevant authorities compel them to desist.”
The chairmen called on security agencies to investigate what they described as the alleged forgery and distortion of court judgments by a rival group led by Tanimu Turaki.
According to them, the matter has gone beyond an internal party disagreement and now raises concerns about respect for the rule of law and public order.
They also urged the party’s National Working Committee to commence contempt proceedings and take other legal action against those they accused of impersonation, forgery and disobedience of court orders.
The forum appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from what it described as the unauthorised use of his name by the rival group.
“We call on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to order a security review of the building in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, which we believe is being used for activities capable of disrupting public peace. We will also make certified true copies of the relevant court judgments available to journalists to correct the misleading interpretations of those rulings,” the chairmen said.
They also commended the National Working Committee for conducting party primaries, overseeing the sale of nomination forms and completing the submission of candidates’ details to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The forum urged PDP members across the country to remain calm and united despite the leadership crisis.