The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and other concerned stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have commended the Federal High Court judgment halting the proposed National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital by what they describe as ‘a faction” of the party leadership.
The stakeholders made this commendation in a closed-door meeting held at Lifecamp, Abuja, following Friday’s court ruling, describing the decision as a landmark verdict that has restored legality, discipline, and constitutional order in the opposition party.
AFRIPOST gathered that the meeting was attended by PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Minister for FCT, Nyesom Wike, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Philip Aduda, Hon. Micah Jiba, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the Board of Trustees, and lawmakers from the South-East, South-South, and North Central zones.
The communiqué, read by Ikpeazu and signed by party leaders across the six geopolitical zones, expressed appreciation to the judiciary for “its courage in upholding truth over impunity,” adding that the verdict has “restored confidence in the PDP as a law-abiding institution.”
The stakeholders also lauded the court’s affirmation of Chief Dan Osi Orbih as the authentic National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the PDP, declaring the purported appointment of Chief Emmanuel Ogidi null and void.
“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met in Abuja to review the landmark judgment delivered today by the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirming the supremacy of the Party’s Constitution and the rule of law. We restate our unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, justice, equity, and inclusivity — the founding pillars of our great Party and commend the Judiciary for its courage in upholding truth over impunity,” part of the communiqué read.
The stakeholders noted that the judgment reaffirmed the supremacy of the PDP Constitution and clarified the lawful roles of party officers in managing its affairs. They maintained that all correspondences with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary, with the latter remaining the principal signatory to official communications.
In addition, they hailed the court’s confirmation of the expulsion of Ali Odefa, which they said would “restore integrity and discipline” in the party’s administration, stressing that “persons expelled from the Party have no locus standi to act or litigate on its behalf.”
The communiqué emphasised that no valid national convention can be held until the party fully complies with all constitutional and legal provisions governing such gatherings. It further noted that the plaintiffs’ action was “not interference in the PDP’s internal affairs but a patriotic effort to ensure that INEC performs its constitutional duties in enthroning internal democracy in political party administration in Nigeria.”