The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigerian police of taking sides in the leadership crisis in the party.

The faction, in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Ini Emembong, said the decision by the police to unseal the PDP National Secretariat for the Nyesom Wike-led faction is contempt of court.

The statement reminded the police authorities that Justice Abdulmalik judgement upon which the police force is allegedly acting, has been appealed, “and the police, as a party in that matter, is fully aware and has been served.”

Turaki added that by their action, the police have tampered with the res and that can render the judgement of the Court of Appeal nugatory, when it is eventually given.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” he regretted.

The faction, however, said it is not surprising that the police are acting in a partisan manner, but added that it hoped that they would act differently under the command of the new Inspector General of Police.

“From the inception of this imbroglio, the officers of the police force have consistently acted in a manner that leaves no one in doubt as to their support for the Wike-backed APC apologists and have continued to double down on their partisan interventions,” Turaki stated.

He appealed to members of the party to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace, and promised: “to take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to protect the rights and privileges of the genuine members of the Peoples Democratic Party.”