Reports that a few National Executive Committee members, who represented 11 of the PNC’s 16 regions, had quit to found the People’s National Party (PNP), have been denied by the People’s National Convention (PNC).

Awudu Ishaq, the National Communications Secretary, signed a statement issued on April 17, 2024, in which the PNC urged its members to resist giving in to what it called the manipulative actions of former General Secretary Janet Nabila and her group.

The claim that eleven regions backed the new party was criticized in the statement as a fabrication meant to mislead the public.

Citing the PNP’s historical origins as a descendant of the original PNP, the PNC further declared the PNP’s formation to be unlawful.

The party committed to using every legal avenue to stop the PNP name from being used.

“The PNC calls on the rank and file of the party most especially our branch, constituency and regional executives to stay resolute and avoid the temptation to be swayed by the disgruntled former General Secretary and her cabal who have always resorted to all manner of lies in their attempt to bring down the PNC for their selfish and self-seeking agenda.

“The party hereby states that the alleged support of this decision by eleven out of sixteen regions is a blatant lie intended to mislead the general public into believing that the supposed new political party is worth its sort. Furthermore, the decision to adopt the People’s National Party amounts to an illegality since the PNC is an offshoot of the PNP.

“To this end, we shall use every legitimate and legal avenue available to us to stop the use of the name PNP,” part of the statement read.

“… As much as the party needs every single member to grow its numbers, we are unfazed by the decision by any person or group of persons to voluntarily leave the party especially when their conduct has proven to be inimical to the fortunes of the party.”