By Taiwo Scholastica
The Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which struck out a suit seeking recognition of its leadership.
The faction stated that while it respected the court’s decision, it maintained that the ruling was inconsistent with existing judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the group explained that the Federal High Court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the defendants and declined jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
“Today, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, upheld the preliminary objection of the defendants and struck out the case filed by the Board of Trustees and some founding leaders of the party, seeking, among other reliefs, the recognition of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee,” the statement read.
According to the faction, the court ruled that the dispute centered on the internal leadership of the PDP and therefore fell outside its jurisdiction.
The court held that because the subject matter of the suit concerned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, it was an internal affair of the party a matter over which the court’s jurisdiction had been ousted.
Despite the outcome, the Turaki-led leadership insisted it would immediately challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The statement noted that while they respect the judgment of the trial court, they respectfully consider it to be against the extant judgments of the appellate and apex courts, leaving the plaintiffs with no option but to appeal the judgment and the rulings therein.
It added that the plaintiffs have accordingly briefed their lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the rulings and judgment.
The faction expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn the decision, insisting that its position was supported by law.
“We are hopeful that as we climb the ladder of the law upwards, the victory of truth over lies, principles over compromise, and the survival of true opposition and multi-party democracy will be assured.”
“The politics of power, money, and greed may last for a while, but we are certain that though our victory may be postponed, as the struggle continues, we will eventually attain it. Aluta continua, victoria acerta!,” the statement read.