…Petitions police, DSS on Wabara, Turaki’s INWC impersonation
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday distanced itself from the purported PDP/APM Grand Alliance gathering held in Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that the party had no involvement in any coalition or political arrangement with the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).
The party added that it has already sent a petition to the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services (DSS) on the attempt by a faction to form an Interim National Working Committee (INWC).
Addressing journalists at the party’s national headquarters at Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP described reports linking it with the event as misleading and accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of attempting to create what it called a false impression of political relevance.
In a press briefing signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party stated that it was necessary to address what it called “deliberate falsehoods” surrounding the Ibadan gathering.
“We have called this press briefing to address the misleading narratives and deliberate falsehood being circulated concerning the social gathering scheduled to hold today in Ibadan under the guise of an alliance between the PDP and the APM,” the statement read.
The party maintained that it had not entered into any alliance or coalition arrangement with the APM or any political group in relation to the event.
“Let us state clearly and unequivocally that the PDP is not part of any alliance, coalition, agreement, or political arrangement with the Allied Peoples Movement or any other political party regarding this gathering or any related political activity,” the party said.
It further warned that any individual or group claiming to represent the PDP at the event lacked the authority of the party.
“Any person or group claiming to be acting on behalf of the PDP in connection with this event is doing so without the knowledge, approval, consent, or authority of the party,” it added.
The PDP accused Makinde and his associates of attempting to use the event to create a narrative of political support.
“What is being presented to Nigerians as a political alliance is nothing more than another desperate attempt by Governor Makinde and his associates to mislead the public and manufacture a false impression of political relevance and support,” the statement noted.
The party also alleged that Makinde was finding it difficult to accept what it described as his “growing political isolation.”
“Governor Makinde must stop attempting to camouflage his political intentions through false claims of alliances and consultations. It is obvious that ego and pride have made it difficult for him to accept the reality of his growing political isolation and failed calculations,” the party stated.
The PDP also linked the development to the earlier political movement of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, claiming that recent political developments had exposed hidden intentions.
“Just like Governor Bala Mohammed who earlier moved to the APM, Nigerians can now clearly see that today’s gathering in Ibadan is simply a public celebration of Governor Makinde’s movement to the APM and nothing more,” the party said.
The party further accused Makinde and his supporters of sponsoring propaganda and attempting to distort the interpretation of a Supreme Court judgment for political purposes.
According to the PDP, recent activities at its headquarters demonstrated that members remained loyal to the party’s existing structure.
“The evidence of this reality was clearly demonstrated by the overwhelming number of aspirants who recently trooped to Wadata Plaza to obtain and submit nomination forms, thereby reaffirming their confidence in the authentic leadership and lawful structure of the PDP,” the statement said.
The party questioned why those allegedly aligned with Makinde had not purchased forms through what it described as the Kabiru Tanimu-led interim structure.
“If indeed Governor Makinde and his supporters have not defected to the APM, Nigerians deserve to ask this simple question: why did they refuse to remain within the structure they claimed to recognize by purchasing nomination forms from the so-called Kabiru Tanimu-led Interim National Working Committee?” it asked.
The PDP maintained that despite ongoing controversies, it remained united and prepared for the 2027 general elections.
“We wish to reassure all aspirants, party faithful, stakeholders and Nigerians that the PDP remains strong, united and fully prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections without any legal or political impediments,” the statement added.
The party also disclosed that while the Ibadan gathering was taking place, it was conducting screening exercises for governorship and presidential aspirants at Legacy House in Abuja following the completion of state and National Assembly screening exercises.
On the same note, National Secretary of the party, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, has hinted that it has petitioned security agencies on the impersonation of members that regrouped and constituted an interim National Working Committee.
Answering questions from journalists on the efforts the party is making to stop the faction from using the name of the party to carry out its activities he responded,
“We have written to the security agencies, the police, and the DSS on the issue of impersonation, and they have already invited Nwabara, Turaki, and others who impersonated themselves at the Shehu Yar’adua Center, where the so-called interim NWC was formed. So the matter is before the security agencies in Nigeria. And after that, we hope that they will be prosecuted” Anyanwu responded.
