This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and Chairman of the PDP Edo State chapter, Tony Aziegbemi, and the Forum Secretary and Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, Chief Edward Masha, on behalf of the 30 PDP state chairmen.
The Forum of State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its full support for the party’s National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), and the National Working Committee (NWC) following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and Chairman of the PDP Edo State chapter, Tony Aziegbemi, and the Forum Secretary and Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter, Chief Edward Masha, on behalf of the 30 PDP state chairmen.
The forum, made up of PDP chairmen from 30 states, said it had carefully reviewed the court’s decision as well as the official response of the party leadership led by Turaki.
The chairmen pledged “total solidarity and unflinching support” for the National Chairman and the entire NWC as constituted by the Ibadan National Convention.
According to the forum, the judgment raised serious legal concerns, noting that while the court declined the request for an order of mandamus sought by the party, it proceeded to grant reliefs that were “neither prayed for nor canvassed by any of the parties before the court.”
The forum further stated that the judgment appeared to be in conflict with existing decisions and orders of courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject matter.
“It is therefore reassuring that the party has already exercised its constitutional right of appeal and filed the appropriate motions for stay of execution, in line with established legal principles and democratic norms,” the statement read.
Aligning itself with the position of the NWC, the forum stressed that the judgment represents “only one step in an ongoing judicial process,” noting that the substantive issues are already before the Court of Appeal for determination.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen affirms that the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains the lawful, recognised, and operational leadership of our party, and continues to enjoy the confidence and loyalty of PDP structures across the 30 states of the Federation,” the statement added.
The chairmen urged party members and supporters across the country to remain calm and united, insisting that there is no leadership vacuum within the party.
“There is absolutely no cause for panic,” the forum said, adding that the PDP has overcome difficult moments in the past and would emerge stronger from the current situation.
Describing the court ruling as “one of the judicial turns in our democratic journey, not the destination itself,” the forum reaffirmed its commitment to the “rebirth and rebuilding” of the PDP.
The forum also reiterated the resolve of the state chairmen to strengthen party unity, deepen internal democracy, and reposition the PDP as “the credible alternative capable of rescuing Nigeria.”
“As we have always known, facts may be distorted, but truth is constant, and it will surely prevail,” the forum declared.