The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from the purported alliance between the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) unveiled in Ibadan, Oyo State, declaring that the party was not part of any coalition arrangement.
The party also disclosed that it had petitioned security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to arrest and prosecute former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, over alleged impersonation.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, described the Ibadan gathering as a political charade orchestrated to create a false impression of relevance and support.
“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 (APM) or any other political party regarding this gathering or any related political activity,” Mohammed said.
He maintained that any individual or group claiming to represent the PDP at the Ibadan event lacked the party’s approval and authority.
“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,” he added.
The party accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of attempting to mislead Nigerians through what it described as false claims of political alliances.
“What is being presented to Nigerians as a political alliance is nothing more than another desperate attempt by Governor Seyi Makinde and his associates to mislead the public and manufacture a false impression of political relevance and support,” the PDP stated.
The opposition party further alleged that Makinde’s political calculations had failed and accused him of using the coalition narrative to mask his movement towards the APM.
“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 said.
According to the PDP, the Ibadan gathering merely confirmed Makinde’s alignment with the APM.
“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 alleged.
The PDP also accused some political actors of sponsoring media campaigns aimed at misrepresenting the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership crisis.
“It is unfortunate that in recent times Governor Makinde and others have continued to sponsor media attacks and propaganda aimed at deliberately distorting and misrepresenting the Supreme Court judgment in order to create confusion within the party and among Nigerians,” Mohammed said.
Reaffirming the party’s position, the PDP stressed that it remained focused on its internal processes and ongoing screening exercises for aspirants ahead of future elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate that the PDP has absolutely nothing to do with the gathering in Ibadan. On the contrary, the PDP is today conducting its screening exercise for gubernatorial and presidential aspirants at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja,” the party stated.
Also speaking, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, disclosed that security agencies had already commenced investigations into the alleged impersonation.
“We have written to the security agencies, the police and the DSS on the issue of impersonation, and they have already invited Wabara, Turaki and others who impersonated themselves at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, where the so-called interim NWC was formed,” Anyanwu said.
“So the matter is before the security agencies in Nigeria and after that we hope that they will be prosecuted,” he added.
On the controversy surrounding the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment, the party insisted that there was only one recognised PDP leadership.
“The CTC is out officially from the Supreme Court. We have copies. There is only one PDP today. INEC has been here and has verified the current NWC,” Anyanwu stated.
He challenged members of the rival faction to publicly disclose their office location and operational structure.
“Today we are here having our press conference. Where are they? Where are they coming from? Where are they situated? Where is their address? It’s a simple question,” he said.
