By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The two camps in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held concurrent engagements with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, in a bid to resolve the prolonged leadership crisis tearing the main opposition party apart even as both camps await the judgement of the Appeal Court.
The meeting, held at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, was convened by the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, following a request by the camp led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) with the backing of the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makine and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
In his opening address, the INEC boss said that the meeting became necessary following conflicting correspondences sent to the commission by both camps.
“We have decided to invite all the parties, especially the fact that we have received conflicting correspondences from the People’s Democratic Party and we felt that by rubbing minds together, we dimmed it be a good opportunity for us to forge a way forward concerning the elections. And I’m happy that this morning, very top officials are present here so that we can discuss as a family and see how the issues can be resolved and we move forward. We are guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Acts, and the regulations that have been made by INEC.
“So we are mindful of the need for us to maintain the sanctity of the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the ground norm, as well as the Electoral Acts and the guidelines. Actually, INEC sits on the tripod of three legal regimes, the Constitution, the Electoral Acts, and the regulations that have been made. So we are determined to ensure that we follow the provisions of the various laws, the Constitution, and the regulations that we have made” he said.
Emerging from the sessions, representatives of both factions addressed journalists, offering optimistic but differing perspectives on the discussions.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, leader of the group backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hailed Amupitan as “a man blessed by God with wisdom” for initiating the dialogue.
“We were addressed in a way that shows INEC truly wants the PDP to continue thriving as Nigeria’s major opposition party,” Anyanwu said. “They are examining the issues and exploring options to restore peace. Both sides presented their cases, highlighting the loopholes causing the problems – which stem from grief, aggression, and ego.”
He emphasized PDP’s commitment to the rule of law, electoral guidelines, and internal mechanisms for crisis management, assuring that “we will come out strong and stronger.”
However, Turaki, who emerged the National Chairman after the Ibadan national convention, stressed that the other groups were impostors.
“We were invited last night by the Commission to attend the meeting this morning.
“Now, when we received the invite, we thought that it was in respect of an earlier request. When we arrived this morning, however, we discovered that some former members of our party, who had earlier been expelled, were also invited.
“According to INEC, with a view to looking for possible solutions to what the Chairman described as lingering problems within the People’s Democratic Party. So, we have spoken with him from our own perspective. We’ve made a presentation of what we think the issues are.
“And we’ve spoken about those issues. And INEC had listened to us. And INEC had said, even though that there are matters that are before the Court of Appeal, and matters have not been heard, and INEC cannot take the place of a Court of competent jurisdiction, but that they will look into what we have said very seriously.
On the faction recognised by INEC, he added, “Where elders, for instance, sit down to settle a land dispute between brothers or between people who are laying different claims to that land, certainly elders will know that one of those people is a legitimate owner, and the other person may be claiming to be the owner.
“But at the end of the day, everybody will be heard by the elders. So that at the end of the day, nobody will say that elders came, they spoke to us, but I have not been given opportunity of a hearing.
“So I think what they have done, in the spirit of wanting to reconcile, I think it’s something that was proper. If you are inviting us, and then you are not inviting other people who are claiming to be what they are not, then probably it will be us talking to ourselves.
“And so I don’t see any difference in what you’re saying. I don’t see any problem with that” Turaki stated.
The post PDP Crisis: INEC seeks clarifications as two factions await Appeal Court Judgement appeared first on Time.I.NG .