Afaction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has condemned the Nigeria Police Force over the unsealing of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, describing the move as a violation of due process and alleging partisan interference.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee, in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said it would challenge the development through legal means.
The action follows a prolonged internal crisis within the PDP, which escalated into a breakdown of order at its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on November 18, when rival factions clashed over control of the party structure.
The Turaki faction, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, had confronted the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, which is aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The dispute later moved to the courts, and on March 9, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Wike-backed faction, invalidating the November 16 Ibadan convention endorsed by the governors.
On Saturday, the Mohammed-led faction announced that the police had unsealed both Wadata Plaza and Legacy House national offices in Abuja, commending the action as professional and in line with the rule of law.
However, the Turaki-led faction faulted the move, alleging that the police acted despite a pending appeal.
The statement said, “We are aware that the Nigeria Police Force has unsealed the national secretariat of our party and aided its takeover and occupation by the agents of the Federal Government and APC apologists, masquerading as PDP members, despite a pending appeal.”
It further argued that the legal basis for the police action remains contested, stating, “It is on record that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik that the police force is allegedly acting under has been appealed, and the police, as a party in that matter, is fully aware and has been served.”
The faction warned that the action could affect ongoing judicial proceedings, noting, “By their action, they have tampered with the res and that can render the judgment 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.”
The group also criticised the conduct of the police, stating, “While it is not surprising that the Police is acting in a clearly partisan manner, we were hopeful that they would act differently under the command of the new Inspector General of Police.”
It added that the conduct of officers throughout the dispute had raised concerns, saying, “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.”
The faction urged its members to remain peaceful while pursuing legal redress, stating, “As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace, while we promise 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.”
It expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved in its favour, adding, “The public should be assured that we are hopeful that soon this dark cloud of state-sponsored persecution and one-party compulsory drive will end and true democratic experience will return, in the interest of preserving the republic.”
The statement concluded, “Though pains may tarry in the night, joy and liberation will certainly come in the morning. Let us therefore bear this night with the hope that surely the morning is en route.”
