Peoples Democratic Party under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki, SAN, on Friday, dismissed the judgement of the Federal High Court nullifying the National Convention of the party, which he described as an academic exercise.
PDP National Chairman, Turaki at a press conference in Abuja, said the party will appeal the judgment.
He accused the court of granting prayers that were not sought by parties to the case.
He explained that the party approached the court seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Ibadan Convention and to facilitate official party communications with the Commission.
But in the course of the proceedings, he disclosed that some former members of the party, who had earlier been expelled, applied to be joined and were so joined by the court.
He said the court proceeded to grant reliefs that were neither prayed for nor canvassed by any of the parties.
Turaki also said the National Working Committee has filed a Notice of Appeal as well as a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, stressing, “We are determined to pursue this matter diligently and to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.”
The National Chairman said the judgment is only one among several decisions of the Federal High Court on the subject matter, adding that the “core issues arising therefrom are already before the Court of Appeal. In that sense, this particular judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”
He also assured members of the PDP that, notwithstanding the judgment, the NWC produced by the Ibadan Convention remains “legally intact, firmly in place, and fully committed to the ongoing rebirth of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Turaki urged members and supporters of the party across the country to remain calm and resolute, stressing, “There is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement is steadily on course.”
