By Omoniyi David
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has rejected Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, reportedly backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC said Muhammed’s notice of postponement of the PDP Ekiti State congress and governorship primary failed to comply with regulations requiring joint signatures from the National Chairman and National Secretary.
The commission declared the submission invalid and warned it cannot be recognized under the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), condemned Tuesday’s invasion of the party secretariat in Abuja by expelled elements who mobilized armed thugs and compromised security personnel.
The clash, aimed at disrupting the new National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, involved tear gas fired at party leaders, including Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde.
The BoT reaffirmed support for the Turaki-led NWC, endorsed the Ibadan convention results, and urged the police to investigate the attacks, stressing that such acts threaten internal democracy.
Following the violence, police sealed the PDP national secretariat, though both factions reportedly held separate closed-door meetings. Turaki, after assuming office, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and restrain Minister Wike.
