Turaki's PDP slams government-backed harassment over reopening of party headquarters

The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lambasted the Police for their perceived bias, condemning the unsealing of the party's national secretariat in Abuja as a blatant example of "state-sponsored persecution".

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This development came to light on Saturday through a statement issued by the faction's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, who announced that the Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, would be taking legal action against the Police.

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The Court of Appeal had previously ruled in favour of the Wike-backed camp on March 9, effectively invalidating the November 16 Ibadan convention that was endorsed by the governors.

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Approximately five weeks after the judgement, the Mohammed-led PDP faction, which is backed by Wike, revealed that the Police had unsealed both the Wadata Plaza and Legacy House national offices of the party in Abuja.

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The Turaki-led group strongly criticized this action, accusing the Police of partisanship and interfering with the outcome of the Court of Appeal's judgement.

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According to the statement, the Police's actions are a clear contravention of the law, and it is shocking that those tasked with upholding the law are instead disregarding it.

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The statement expressed disappointment that the Police, under the new Inspector General of Police, had not acted with greater impartiality, instead choosing to continue their partisan behaviour.

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Throughout this ordeal, the police force has consistently demonstrated a blatant bias towards the Wike-backed faction, leaving no doubt as to their allegiance.

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Despite this, the Turaki-led faction has urged its members to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while also promising to take all necessary steps to protect the rights and privileges of genuine PDP members.

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The faction has assured the public that they are hopeful for a return to true democratic experience, and an end to the current "state-sponsored persecution" and attempts to impose a one-party system.

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The statement concluded on a note of optimism, encouraging supporters to persevere through the current challenges, with the promise that "joy and liberation will certainly come in the morning".