The Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to appeal the Federal High Court judgment striking out its suit seeking recognition of its leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the faction said it respected the court’s decision but believed the judgment was inconsistent with existing decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
According to the statement, Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, upheld the preliminary objection raised by the defendants and struck out the suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees and some founding leaders, which sought, among other reliefs, recognition of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee.
The court held that the dispute relates to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and is an internal party affair over which it lacks jurisdiction.
Despite the ruling, the Turaki-led faction said it had directed its legal team to immediately file an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
The faction maintained that the trial court’s decision was inconsistent with established appellate and Supreme Court judgments and expressed confidence that the Appeal Court would overturn the ruling.
It added that the appeal is aimed at upholding the rule of law, internal party democracy and the survival of a credible multi-party democratic system in Nigeria.
The faction expressed optimism that although its victory may be delayed, justice would ultimately prevail.
