The Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM has refuted claims that there was ever a CPC group in its fold at all. Spokesman of PDM Ahmed Rufai Abubakar said in a statement Sunday “PDM Members and the general public are advised to take note that there is no CPC group within our Party and any member who identifies himself with any political group other than the Party is committing a grievous offence. No one is allowed to cling to a fictional and imaginary identity to pursue their selfish agenda inside our Party as genuine PDM members have no divided loyalty and carry only one Membership Card”
He spoke on the heels of report that a group had pulled out of the party.
Abubakar’s statement said “Our attention has been drawn to press statements issued by a CPC group last week in which false and disparaging remarks were made against our Party and its leadership. It is not in our tradition to join issues in public with Party Members but this has become an exception because it is common knowledge CPC, the group identity under which the statements were issued, had long seized to exist. The group which issued the statements is, therefore, unknown to law and unknown to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT.
“PDM Members and the general public are advised to take note that there is no CPC group within our Party and any member who identifies himself with any political group other than the Party is committing a grievous offence. No one is allowed to cling to a fictional and imaginary identity to pursue their selfish agenda inside our Party as genuine PDM members have no divided loyalty and carry only one Membership Card.
“ For the avoidance of doubt, PDM has never received any member or group of members into its fold in the name of CPC or in the name of any other political identity by whatever name called. We do not recognize any group identity within our Party other than our own. Those identifying themselves as CPC members within PDM are advised to do a rethink as, by assuming such an identity, they have, by implication and according to our laws, renounced their PDM membership.
The statement said “ It is also an offence for any Party Member to carry any grievances they may have into the public domain without exhausting the Party’s internal conflict resolution procedures and without following internal avenues for redress. Party members who are expressing grievances through public statements are therefore advised, in their own best interest, to take advantage of the internal avenues for redress or face disciplinary proceedings if they fail to desist.
“Some of the issues raised in the public statements under reference are subject of ongoing investigation within the Party. It is an offence for any Party Member to make public comments on any matter that is under investigation as this could amount to undermining the investigation and is an abuse of process and of the rule of law. The Disciplinary Committee investigating these issues has not yet submitted its report. Any Member with outstanding issues to discuss is free to approach the Committee instead of resorting to media blackmail.
“ The Party appeals to members of the Fourth Realm to help nurture our democracy by helping build institutions and upholding the sanctity of process, instead of helping individuals to promote questionable, even dubious, agendas which undermine the institutions and processes upon which our democracy depends. Our democracy can only grow and flourish if institutions are respected and due processes is upheld. It is only strong institutions, not strong individuals, who hold the key to the success of our democracy. Any individual who feels or conduct himself or herself as if they are above our institutions and our laws should be isolated and sanctioned, not promoted, as the media appears to be doing in this particular case.
