The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has established Appeal Panels to handle petitions and complaints arising from its primaries for presidential, governorship, state, and National Assembly positions. The panels were created to promote transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party's electoral process.
Statement from National Publicity Secretary
In a statement released on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, announced that the panels would review complaints from aggrieved contestants and stakeholders. “The appeal panels will hear and review appeals from contestants and stakeholders who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries. They will also make recommendations in line with the party’s Constitution, Electoral Guidelines, and relevant provisions of the law,” he said.
Commitment to Credible Candidate Selection
Mr. Mohammed emphasized that this move underscores the PDP’s commitment to a credible candidate selection process ahead of the forthcoming elections. According to him, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, will chair the governorship and presidential appeals panel. He added that the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, is among the members of the panel.
Details of the Panels
Mr. Mohammed further stated that Suleiman Afolagbe will chair the states and National Assembly appeals panel. The nine-member states and National Assembly appeals panel is scheduled to sit on June 8 and June 9. The panel will convene at the National Working Committee (NWC) Hall at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Additionally, Mr. Mohammed disclosed that the 24-member governorship and presidential appeals panel will meet on June 10. This panel will also sit at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The establishment of these appeal panels is seen as a step towards addressing internal grievances and ensuring that the party’s primaries are conducted fairly, in line with democratic principles. The panels are expected to provide a platform for aggrieved members to seek redress and contribute to the party’s unity ahead of the general elections.
