PDP Convention Stands On Firm Legal Ground Despite Court Rulings, Says National Publicity Secretary Ememobong 

Monday November 17, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng

By Idorenyin UMOREN

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, has defended the legality and legitimacy of the party’s controversial elective convention held in Ibadan, insisting that the absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, does not invalidate its outcome and that the party acted strictly within the Electoral Act.

In an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, November 16, Comrade Ememobong addressed widespread concerns triggered by two conflicting Federal High Court orders—one restraining INEC from attending the convention and another permitting the exercise to proceed.

“Absolutely, the convention and its outcomes will stand,”he declared.

“Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act makes notice to INEC mandatory, but subsection 2 says INEC may attend and observe. You cannot command INEC’s presence. Our duty is to give notice; the duty to observe is theirs. They may or may not attend.”

He added that INEC had already acknowledged receipt of the party’s notice and minuted on it, satisfying the legal requirement.

Responding to controversy over the expulsion of prominent members—including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu—Ememobong said the decision was entirely within the powers of the PDP’s highest organ.

“The convention is the highest law-making body of the organisation. Article 33(2)(J) says it shall exercise control and take disciplinary action against all officers and members of the party,”he noted.

On why the PDP waited until now to wield its disciplinary powers, he said:
“There is never a late time to do what is right. Sometimes you hope that time will heal, but there are times when you discover that rather than heal, time compounds—and therefore you must take a decision.”

He stressed that some of those expelled had repeatedly bypassed the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms, choosing instead to rush to court at every disagreement.

Despite the sweeping decisions, Ememobong said the new National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, is committed to uniting the PDP and bringing aggrieved members back.

“Our disposition is clear—we are coming on a reconciliatory and conciliatory note,” he said.
“The chairman wants everyone back. He says he would go out looking; he would not wait for them to come.”

He added that issues raised by Governor Sule Lamido, who complained of being excluded from obtaining forms, would be handled through dialogue and reference to factual timelines.
“These are questions of fact—were guidelines issued? Were dates set? People are already speaking with him, and we respect the sacrifices he has made.”

On concerns over the absence of delegates from three states, Ememobong said the convention met all requirements.

“The quorum is two-thirds. Delegates came from everywhere—Zamfara, Taraba, all over. As to the validity of the convention by reason of non-attendance of some states, rest assured, we had more than enough.”

He acknowledged dissent expressed by Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, but said they questioned only the management of the disciplinary process, not its legality.

“They excluded themselves; they did not question the validity or legality. They questioned the morality and management. In democracy, majority will have their way, minority will have their say.”

Rejecting assertions that the PDP remains a fractured political family, Ememobong said the convention had energised members nationwide.

“If you were in Ibadan yesterday, you would have known this is that defining moment that can birth a rebirth—a renaissance for the party,” he insisted.
“You would have seen hope. People missed their path and Okada riders led them there free of charge. They said, ‘Can you rebuild this party?’”

Asked about the ongoing controversy involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer during a land dispute in Abuja, Comrade Ememobong called for restraint between political authorities and military personnel.

“We need to have mutual respect for each other. Everyone needs to be subject to the laws of the land,” the PDP national publicity said.

“If we all have emotional intelligence, we would avoid a lot of things. These are two critical institutions, and at a time like this we shouldn’t be having such incidents.”

Comrade Ememobong added that the military is currently under intense pressure to restore security nationwide, and should not be distracted.

“This is a time when the military has been given a marching order to stop terrorism and banditry. We don’t need to distract them.”