PDP crisis: Baraje faction to challenge judgement recognizing Tukur, others The Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, is to appeal a court ruling that outlawed the faction last week, chairman of the splinter group said. Mr Baraje said the leadership of the faction has “carefully studied” Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Elvis Chukwu, which declared the National Working Committee, NWC headed by Bamanga Tukur as the authentic leadership of the PDP. A statement by the spokesperson of the faction, Chukwuemeka Eze, on Sunday said the group accepted the ruling of the court and will abide by it. The statement however said the ruling will be appealed. “Even so, we have directed our legal team to appeal the judgement as a matter of urgency as we remain convinced that we have a good case and are thus determined to ensure that Mr Tukur and his cohorts are not allowed to hold sway as the leaders of our great party,” the statement said. The splinter group is supported by a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and seven governors who are opposed to the chairmanship of Mr Tukur, and the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Hours after the court decision on Friday, Mr Abubakar reportedly met with some of the governors in Adamawa state. The PDP, recognized by the court, has warned that the breakaway members will henceforth be treated as “criminals and impostors”. The statement by the Baraje faction said the leadership of the faction has convened an emergency meeting of the seven governors, and other leaders of the group to chart the way forward. “Apart from deciding on the Federal High Court ruling and the challenges facing us a group, the G7/ Stakeholders/NWC meeting slated for this week is expected to deliberate on how the new Five Governors of PDP that have indicated interest to join the Baraje leadership will be received in the fold,” Mr Eze said. Mr Eze said the faction has “nothing but pity” for the Tukur-led PDP, “who are already gloating over their victory over us and even had the temerity to describe us and our governors as criminals, warning that the heavens would fall if we should meet under any platform”. “By being so uncouth in addressing governors duly elected by Nigerians, Tukur and his disciples have one more vindicated our struggle to flush out these unholy undemocratic elements from our party,” the statement said.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 05:38:35 +0000