The Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge Friday’s Federal High Court judgment striking out a suit seeking recognition of its leadership, declaring that “the politics of power, money and greed” would not prevail.

Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had struck out the suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees and some founding leaders of the party, seeking, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee.

The court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the defendants and ruled that the dispute bordered on the leadership of the PDP, which constituted an internal affair of the party and was therefore outside the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Ibrahim also held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, struck it out for want of jurisdiction, and ruled that the action amounted to an abuse of court process. The judge further held that the plaintiffs lacked the PDP’s authorisation to institute the case in the party’s name and noted that the dispute had become academic since the PDP convention that produced the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led executives was monitored by INEC.

Reacting in a statement issued by Comrade Ini Ememobong, its interim national publicity secretary, the Turaki-led INWC said it respected the court’s decision but disagreed with the ruling, arguing that it conflicted with existing decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

“While we respect the judgment of the trial court, we respectfully consider that it is against the extant judgments of the Appeal and apex courts, leaving the plaintiffs with no option but to appeal the judgment and the rulings therein,” the statement said.

The faction disclosed that it had already instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the judgment at the appellate court.

“The plaintiffs have accordingly briefed their lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the rulings and judgement,”it added.

Expressing confidence in the outcome of the appeal, the group maintained that it remained committed to preserving opposition politics and Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

“We are hopeful that as we climb the ladder of the law upwards, the victory of truth over lies, principles over compromise and the survival of true opposition and multi-party democracy will be assured.

“The politics of power, money and greed may last for a while, but we are certain that though our victory may be postponed, as the struggle continues, we will eventually attain it. Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta!” the statement read.