The Abubakar Baraje-led new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed not to succumb to intimidation from security agencies even as it announced its decision to appeal the Federal High Court ruling recognizing Bamanga Tukur as the authentic national chairman of the ruling party.
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, spokesperson of the splinter group in a statement on Sunday, said they have carefully studied the ruling of Justice Elvis Chukwu and convinced that they have genuine case that must be pursued to a logical conclusion.
He also dispelled rumour that there is division among the G7 Governors and members of the National Assembly, saying they remain united and focused in the pursuit of what it referred to as a ‘just course’.
Eze said “As a group that has a lot of respect for the judiciary, we have accepted the ruling in good faith and wish to abide by it. Even so, we have directed our legal team to appeal the judgment as a matter of urgency as we remain convinced that we have a good case and are thus determined to ensure that Tukur and his cohorts are not allowed to hold sway as the leaders of our great party”.
He also disclosed that the group’s chairman, Abubakar Baraje has convened an emergency meeting of the G7, Stakeholders and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the New PDP to exhaustively discuss the new developments and chat the way forward, insisting no going back “on our just struggle to rescue PDP from the hands of usurpers”.
According to new PDP spokesperson, “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.
“Let us reiterate that contrary to some insinuations in some quarters reflected in a section of the media of division and disunity amongst our Governors and National Assembly members because of our current travails but the fact remains that instead of division, our current travails have strengthen us the more and act as a unifying factor that have shown us that it is matter of time that the undemocratic elements that have seized our party will be dislodged.
“Meanwhile, we feel nothing but pity for Tukur and his NWC, 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. We are confident that this is one mission which we shall successfully accomplish by the grace of God not minding the use of State Security agencies to harass and intimidate our people”.
While thanking its members and supporters, the new PDP enjoined them to remain “steadfast and continue in prayer for Almighty God to vindicate us and grant us victory in the end”.
