PDP crisis deepens as faction opens secretariat, sues Tukur, others
Despite the peace efforts of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has taken turns for the worse with the splitter group, which calls itself the New PDP, threatening fire and brimstone.
to he faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Alhaji Abubakar Baraje has said it will not abandon its mission to salvage the PDP.
The 'New PDP' in order to consolidate their claim to the party has headed to a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.
The has a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); and Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano) as some of its key leaders.
Members of the group want the court to constrain the officials of the National Working Committee of the Bamanga Tukur-led faction from parading themselves as members of the National Executive Committee of the party.
They have also scheduled Tuesday (today) for the opening of their parallel secretariat in the Maitama District of Abuja.
The leader of the 'New PDP,' Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, said that their mission to save the PDP was irreversible.
The faction's suit was heard on Monday by Justice Ganiyu and later adjourned to l Monday, September 9.
In the suit, which has Baraje, Dr. Sam Jaja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the PDP as plaintiffs, the New PDP is asking the court to stop Tukur, Prince Uche Secondus, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Olisah Metuh and others from parading themselves as PDP NEC members.
Oyinlola, who is the national secretary of the faction, explained in a statement that the group also also sought a motion exparte, asking for the leave of the court to serve the defendants outside their jurisdiction.
According to him, the court granted them leave to serve the defendants in their various locations.
The court was however unwilling to grant the group's request for an injunction that would restrain the NWC officials from parading themselves as NEC members, the court said there was no urgency as to the fact of who should hold what office. It then directed that the status quo be maintained till September 9 when their arguments on the motion on notice would be heard.
'What this means is that in the meantime, both executive committees are to remain until the court resolves the matter,' the statement explained.
The group said in a statement that it was encouraged by the overwhelming support it had been receiving across the country.
The statement reads in part, 'Alhaji Baraje and other leaders of the party appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of support and encouragement from genuine members and leaders of the party across the country. We assure them that we will not disappoint them in the mission to make the PDP work again in the interest of Nigeria and its people.
'We also appreciate the efforts of leaders of the party, particularly President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo who, we note, have scheduled a meeting of the party elders for this week.
'We respect the elders and will be guided by them.'
Baraje had earlier on Monday told an online news agency on the telephone that the parallel secretariat of the New PDP was equipped with 'the needed paraphernalia of office' ahead of its opening on Tuesday.
'Our plan is to address the media and announce the names of other members of our National Working Committee at our own secretariat,' he added, declining to give the exact address of the secretariat in Abuja.