Politics
Court Prohibits PDP from Dismissing Damagum as Acting National Chairman
On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order against the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), preventing them from removing Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum from his position as Acting National Chairman.
The court mandated that only Damagum be acknowledged as the PDP national chairman until the party’s national convention, which is set for December of next year.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered this ruling in response to a lawsuit brought by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina against the PDP NEC, BoT, and other parties involved. The judge affirmed that, according to Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution, national officers can only be elected during the National Convention.
In the case referenced as FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, Justice Lifu stated that all PDP members must adhere to the party’s Constitution and act in accordance with its provisions.
The plaintiff, who claims to be the chairman of the PDP in Yobe State, alleged that certain party stakeholders were conducting secret meetings aimed at forcibly ousting Damagum, in clear violation of the party’s Constitution. He indicated that Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, was being positioned as Damagum’s successor by these stakeholders.
Maina reported that upon discovering this plan, he sent two letters expressing his concerns regarding the clandestine meetings to the national secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Despite receiving acknowledgment of these letters, he claimed that the National Secretary and BoT members failed to take any action.
Represented by Joshua Musa, SAN, the plaintiff requested the court to enforce Articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution to prevent the attempt to replace Damagum as Acting National Chairman. He specifically asked the court to affirm that the national chairmanship rotates between the northern and southern regions, as stipulated in the PDP Constitution.
After reviewing the PDP Constitution and related evidence, Justice Lifu concurred with the plaintiff that Damagum could only be replaced through the national convention or a court order. The judge further asserted that any effort to terminate the remaining four-year tenure allotted to the northern region without a national convention would be a violation of the PDP Constitution.
The judge dismissed the defendants’ arguments against the lawsuit, which claimed that the plaintiff lacked the standing to bring the case and that the court had no jurisdiction. Justice Lifu emphasized that the plaintiff’s suit was grounded in the protection of the PDP Constitution and the integrity of the northern region’s tenure.
Having presented his PDP membership card in court and raised significant constitutional issues, the plaintiff was deemed to have a sufficient interest to pursue the case.
Consequently, Justice Lifu declared that the PDP NEC and BoT must adhere to the party’s Constitution and that Damagum’s position as national chairman can only be changed during the national convention. The judge also ruled that Damagum, having been appointed from the same northern region as former national chairman Senator Iyorcha Ayu, is entitled to complete the remainder of the chairmanship term.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately remove the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, citing a breach of constitutional procedure and defiance of President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
In a statement provided to Elanza News on Thursday, Falana referenced the official Federal Government Gazette, which outlined the terms governing the Sole Administrator’s operations.
According to the document, “the Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” President Bola Tinubu stated.
However, Falana noted that “it is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator.”
Despite this, the appointed Sole Administrator has proceeded to make appointments and remove officials who were earlier appointed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Describing the development as unlawful, Falana said: “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment.
The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay.”
The legal luminary’s position comes amid a broader political crisis in Rivers State, where the legitimacy of key appointments and the balance of powers between the state and federal government continue to generate intense debate.
The Northern Nigeria Youths Union (NNYU), has promised to garner over two million votes for President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 General Elections.
The Chairman of the union, Abubakar Aliyu, discussed this on Wednesday shortly after the conclusion of a major meeting held in Jos, Plateau.
“We are speaking after the conclusion of a large gathering of young men and women who have committed themselves to contributing to the journey of Tinubu.
“This is after seeing how he is implementing a myriad of developmental projects across the country, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
The chairman, who is also the Galadiman Takai, cited Tinubu’s recent inauguration of the construction of the Abuja to Kaduna to Kano Highway.
Aliyu said, “This is a road that has three lanes on each side, which will attract more developments to the North and the entire country.”
He also referenced the phenomenal decline in the prices of food stuffs during just-concluded Ramadan’ fast, averring, “everyone glaringly witnessed this feat.
“The prices of various goods had also nosedived and even the price of fuel had reduced significantly.
“We in our organisation, the Northern Nigeria Youth Union, assure the president that when the election comes, we will give him more than two million votes.”
Aliyu stated that the union had registered members, Muslims and Christians, all volunteers in each of the 19 Northern states.
He added, “It is is not that we were given money from somewhere, we are just volunteers with patriotism.
“Considering our large membership, when the elections are held, we will also attract the attention of many people to cast their votes for Tinubu.
” Therefore, with a large membership of over 65,000 people, and the efforts we will make to get people with voter’s cards, will ensure that we generate the votes for Tinubu.
“This is a guarantee that this will indeed be done.”
The chairman, however, called on Tinubu to ensure that all his political appointees were closely monitored.
“This call becomes necessary so that the people could be properly cared for as per the constitutional provisions,”Aliyu explained.(NAN)
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has announced a ban on night grazing and restricted the use of motorcycles across the state following incessant attacks.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang described the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” aimed at displacing residents and undermining their right to exist peacefully on their ancestral lands.
The governor also prohibited the transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7pm.
He said the directives take immediate effect, with the restriction on motorcycle use in place from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.
“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid. The cycle continues, but it must not endure. Enough Is Enough,” the governor said.
“As your governor, I stand resolved — Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal.
“My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.
“I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16: Night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited; transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7pm.
“The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.”