The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has said the party’s National Convention held on Sunday by the other faction led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was held in contempt of the Court of Appeal.

The faction in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Emembong, yesterday disclosed that both factions had entered appearances and agreed with the court on the way to proceed with the matter, but regretted that the Wike faction “turned around and undertook acts capable of destroying the rules.”

According to the statement, the faction was served with the processes of the appeal at the Supreme Court, as well as other suits challenging the holding of the said convention.

“The validity of that gathering is now a matter before the court, which we will diligently follow to its conclusion,” it assured. Turaki reassured PDP supporters that the case is now before the Supreme Court for the determination of all the issues relating to the leadership of the party, “particularly as it relates to what constitutes an internal affair.”

He expressed the hope that with the appeal and the relevant concomitant applications filed and served on all the parties involved, “that sooner, rather than later, the apex court will, in the interest of democracy, expeditiously hear and adjudicate on this matter.”

The factional National Chairman further disclosed that they have appealed against the judgement of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that yesterday granted Wike faction access to the PDP National Secretariat and directed security agencies to offer them protection.

Turaki recalled that his faction had earlier asked Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from all cases involving the PDP. He admitted that these are “very trying times” for the PDP, and all opposition parties in Nigeria, and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the crises because of fear for the existence of alternative political platforms.

He urged PDP members and all Nigerians to keep hope alive in the sincere expectation that the apex court would rescue multi-party democracy in the appeal before them. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. Checks on INEC’s website yesterday listed Mohammed as the PDP National Chairman.