The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising a caretaker committee allegedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The group described INEC’s action as unconstitutional, provocative and capable of worsening the leadership crisis within the party.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction said it became aware that INEC recently invited leaders of political parties to a meeting and extended the PDP’s invitation to individuals claiming to represent the party as members of a National Caretaker Committee.
Ememobong said such a committee has no foundation in the PDP constitution.
“We are aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission invited the leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee to represent our party, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution,” he stated.
While warning that the development could provoke unrest within the party, Ememobong said the Makinde-aligned faction would pursue only lawful means in responding to the situation.
“This action, though ordinarily vexatious and capable of causing a widespread breach of peace, will be met with all possible legal responses,” he said.
The PDP spokesman further faulted INEC for what he described as a lack of restraint, despite several matters relating to the party’s leadership dispute currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
“Though not unexpected of the current INEC leadership, it is expected that an impartial umpire would have taken notice of the pendency of the matters in the Court of Appeal, including the judgment being relied upon, and exercised restraint,” Ememobong added.
He stressed that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to determine or impose leadership on the PDP, insisting that such issues are internal party affairs subject to the party’s constitution and the jurisdiction of the courts.
“INEC will not choose a leadership for our party,” he declared.
