The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has welcomed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to formally recognise the Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Caretaker National Working Committee of the party.
The party made this known in a statement issued on Friday by its State Publicity Secretary, Chief Jude Udeachara. It said INEC’s recognition was clear from its invitation to the Mohammed and Anyanwu-led committee to attend a quarterly strategic meeting with leaders of political parties.
According to the Abia PDP, INEC’s action followed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2015. The court also barred those linked to that convention from presenting themselves as members of the party’s National Working Committee.
The party stated that by engaging only the Mohammed and Anyanwu-led committee, INEC acted in line with the court ruling and ended the confusion surrounding parallel leadership claims within the PDP at the national level.
It noted that the development had brought clarity to the party’s dealings with the electoral body and helped resolve a long-standing leadership dispute.
The Abia PDP said the recognition would allow the party to focus on internal unity, reconciliation, and proper organisation ahead of future conventions and elections across the country.
The party also urged its members at all levels to respect the rule of law and work together to strengthen the PDP from the grassroots to the national level.