Judul : PDP 2027 Ticket Fates in Doubt Amid Party Rift
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PDP 2027 Ticket Fates in Doubt Amid Party Rift
SevenTwo days following the 20th elected national convention of the People's Democratic Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission has still not approved the results of the event.
A group supporting the party's former National Chairman, Umar Damagun, held the convention at the main arena of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, last Saturday, facing resistance from the faction backing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, the crisis affecting the party intensified during the convention when the delegates approved the removal of Wike and 10 other senior leaders due to claims of anti-party behavior.
Other individuals who were also expelled include a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; the party's National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Austin Nwachukwu.
The PDP delegates also chose a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the party's new National Chairman.
In a quick response, Muhammed Abdulrahman, the acting National Chairman of the faction, who heads the group supporting Wike, declared the removal of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Muhammed (Bauchi), and other prominent party members due to claims of anti-party behavior and failure to comply with court rulings.
The situation escalated dramatically a few days following the convention when the two groups confronted each other at the party's national headquarters in Abuja concerning possession of the office.
By unanimous zoning and representative approval, several other members of the National Working Committee were also chosen by the Damagun group during the convention.
They feature Hamza Koshe as Deputy National Chairman (North), Daniel Woye as Deputy National Chairman (South), Arapaja Gbola-Oladejo as National Secretary, Ihediwa Nnabugwu as Deputy National Secretary, Isaa Abubakar as National Treasurer, Okechukwu Daniel as National Financial Secretary, and Theophilus Shan as National Organising Secretary.
Other positions include Ini Ememobong serving as National Publicity Secretary, Aribisala Idowu as National Auditor, Badaru Shafi’l as National Legal Adviser, Ogbu Chinenyenwa as National Women’s Leader, and Umar Dan Aji as National Youth Leader.
Nevertheless, a week following the convention, INEC has still not provided any statement regarding the results or acknowledged the PDP leaders headed by Turaki.
A report by Sunday PUNCH on Friday examining INEC's official website revealed that the commission continued to list Damagun as the PDP's National Chairman and Anyanwu as National Secretary.
As per party officials, the development might not be unrelated to the commission's absence at the PDP convention, a decision that Wike's team claimed had already invalidated the results.
Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, did not provide any statement regarding the commission's non-attendance at the convention or the reason for its delayed endorsement of the PDP executives led by Turaki.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, a representative from the Turaki bloc, Ememobong, expressed astonishment that INEC had not yet acknowledged the newly elected PDP National Working Committee leaders, even though they had submitted their names following the convention.
He stated, "We implemented measures to make sure the correct action was taken."
We implemented these actions prior to the convention to involve INEC. We have also done this after the convention by submitting the list of new leaders to INEC. It is the commission's responsibility to acknowledge us, and therefore, the task lies with them. It is within INEC's jurisdiction to do so.
Nevertheless, Anyanwu, the PDP National Secretary aligned with the Wike faction, rejected Ememobong's statements.
"Anyone who claims to be the original leadership of the party is mistaken. Let them visit the INEC office to verify. You can also contact INEC to find out who the genuine leadership is," he stated.
The interim PDP National Youth Leader, who is also affiliated with the Wike faction, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the deadlock is expected to be settled by the Appeal Court.
Emergency could limit PDP prospects in 2027
In the meantime, certain leaders of the PDP have cautioned that the intensification of the party's crisis in recent weeks may threaten its capacity to nominate candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The struggle for dominance within the party's framework became more chaotic on Tuesday, with the two opposing groups confronting each other at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.
By Wednesday, law enforcement had sealed off the headquarters to prevent additional disorder.
As of the date this report was submitted, Wadata Plaza continued to be secured with a locked entrance, featuring a barbed-wire fence blocking access.
As the November 14 and 15 convention approached, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, along with some discontented party leaders, secured court injunctions to prevent the Damagun faction from continuing with the process until unresolved legal matters were addressed.
Lamido, seen as a key candidate for the PDP national chairmanship, filed a petition with the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding recourse after being prevented from acquiring the nomination form for the chairmanship.
Last Friday, Judge Peter Lifu directed the party to halt the convention.
He also prevented INEC from overseeing, observing, or endorsing any convention held by the PDP that did not feature Lamido as a candidate.
Justice Lifu stated that the court's evidence indicated that Lamido was prevented from acquiring a nomination form to run for the post of national chairman.
Remember that on Tuesday, November 11, Judge Lifu issued a comparable decision preventing the PDP from conducting the convention.
Lamido, with the advice of Jephthah Njikonye, SAN, submitted an ex parte application requesting a temporary injunction to suspend the convention until the main case is reviewed and decided.
Nevertheless, in a contradictory ruling, the Oyo State High Court based in Ibadan allowed the PDP to continue with the convention on November 3.
Nevertheless, the Damagum camp proceeded with the convention, asserting they were unaware of Justice Lifu's Friday directive.
The Damagun group maintained that the ruling by Judge Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court regarding an ex parte petition submitted by Mr. Folahan Adelabi, a member of the Oyo PDP, offered legal justification for the convention.
In individual interviews with Sunday PUNCH, some leaders of the PDP expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict between opposing factions could directly jeopardize the party's legal ability to submit candidate registrations.
A leader within the party, Segun Sowunmi, stated that the Electoral Act mandates the National Chairman and National Secretary to jointly sign and submit the list of candidates to INEC.
As per his view, provided both parties continue to assert distinct claims over those positions, the party runs the risk of rendering its applications invalid.
Sowunmi recommended that leaders from both factions withdraw ongoing legal matters, revert to the previously acknowledged status quo prior to the crisis, and form a temporary committee that is agreeable to the conflicting groups.
He claimed that only a political approach could stop the party from moving toward what he called "a scenario where neither side is entirely correct or incorrect."
That is why we have suggested they step down from their position of superiority, set aside some of their complaints, and discover a realistic approach to handle this scenario.
"They should not behave in a self-righteous or excessively critical manner towards one another. They must discover an intelligent and equitable method of collaboration. That is the appropriate strategy," Sowunmi stated.
He also called on party leaders to handle outstanding congresses, fix issues related to the most recent national convention, and reconsider the Murtala-Shuaibu ruling, which he claimed offers insights into avoiding the current crisis.
In his view, Bature, who was removed along with Wike, attributed the turmoil affecting the PDP to party leaders.
During a phone call with Sunday PUNCH, Bature expressed regret that the party's leaders ended up in separate groups, leading to division within the party.
He stated, "The stakeholders are aware of the necessary actions, yet they remain divided."
Additionally, Osadolor mentioned that several party members were worried that extended conflicts might interfere with the party's plans for 2027.
He blamed Governors Mohammed and Makinde for escalating conflicts, stating that their behavior jeopardized the party's capacity to hold legitimate primaries.
"If proper attention is not given, we could end up in a scenario where the PDP lacks a presidential candidate by 2027," Osadolor cautioned.
He encouraged actors who have aspirations for the presidency to "put them aside for the time being" until the party becomes more stable.
"Only when the party is robust and united can we seriously discuss presidential aspirations and the candidates we aim to put forward for the elections," he added.
Nevertheless, Ememobong downplayed concerns about factional candidates in the 2027 elections, asserting that the PDP's national convention had already determined the sole valid leadership tasked with submitting the party's candidate names to INEC.
He maintained that INEC would not accept any list other than the one submitted by the NWC under Turaki's leadership.
The media reporter admitted that the conflict might lead to legal confrontations, but insisted that the NWC under Turaki's direction was the only leadership authorized by the law to interact with INEC.
"Long before the elections, the issue will be settled. It will reach the Supreme Court. It is a significant matter. It will go there and be decided there," Ememobong stated.
Additionally, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Sunday Solarin, stated that the PDP had a single valid national leadership formed during the national convention.
He contended that any group asserting the opposite was violating the party's constitution.
Solarin argued that INEC would lack grounds to accept any list provided by individuals whose tenure has ended.
He stated, "The convention has occurred, and it has unanimously chosen new leaders for the party. Therefore, those who refer to themselves as factions remain under this leadership. Hence, there is no split within the party's leadership, but individuals who wish to divide themselves below the leadership level are free to do so."
Thus, when we are ready to submit our candidates to INEC, I believe INEC will cooperate with the NWC led by Turaki, as the commission has no basis to engage with any official who has exceeded their four-year term in office.
From his side, Hon Bakene, a member of the PDP's Board of Trustees, mentioned that actions are being taken by senior elders to start a reconciliation process.
He, nevertheless, blamed the Wike group for efforts designed to undermine the party, claiming that the minister's recent political actions indicated a desire to sabotage the PDP's prospects in 2027.
We don't require a crystal ball to know that Wike's strategy is to make sure the PDP doesn't have a presidential candidate in 2027. We don't need to consult any fortune-teller for this. He himself has stated it. He mentioned he is part of the PDP, yet he is supporting the APC, and continues to campaign for APC candidates.
What in the world is he up to? I believe people should back the PDP and not just stand by. It has always been his intention to undermine the PDP, ensuring that it doesn't have candidates in 2027, but there's no way we'll let him succeed. The PDP is a larger party.
"Wike has openly stated that if we don't approach him, he will dismantle the party and support the president he is working for. He needs to let the party choose its own candidate. If we suffer a loss, we'll be aware of it. It's a democracy, and it's about numbers. If we are beaten, we'll understand that we've been defeated," Bakene said.
He pointed out that the party's leadership continued to be dedicated to making sure that only the officially recognized executive presented the final list of candidates to INEC.
He called on members to stay composed, stating his belief that the party would prevent internal conflicts from hindering its efforts for the upcoming general elections.
"There is just one leader of the party, which is Turaki, along with his newly elected National Secretary. These individuals will be the ones to represent the party when it's time to submit the list of candidates. I believe INEC, under Prof. Joash Amupitan as National Chairman, will remain impartial and transparent. I would like to encourage party members not to let fear influence them regarding INEC accepting their list," he stated.
A PDP regional official who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, under the condition of anonymity, also referred to the executive led by Turaki as the true leadership of the party, which is anticipated to release the party's list of candidates for the 2027 election.
Ajisafe stated that PDP members who did not support Turaki constituted a "small minority" and should not be considered a group.
When asked if he would be surprised to witness a similar list of candidates from the Anyanwu group, Ajisafe responded, "You can't dismiss such a foolish action."
Additionally, discussing the risk of the party fielding alternative candidates for the 2027 election, Anyanwu reassured party members, stating, "Everything will be sorted out by then. It's not yet the time to talk about candidates; let's wait until that point."
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Demikianlah Artikel PDP 2027 Ticket Fates in Doubt Amid Party Rift
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