The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 31 for a ruling in a case aimed at halting the forthcoming convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice James Omotosho set the date after both the plaintiffs’ legal representatives and the defence counsel presented their arguments regarding the case.
The plaintiffs, comprising Austin Nwachukwu (Chairman of Imo PDP), Amah Nnanna (Chairman of Abia PDP), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary for the South-South), initiated the lawsuit.
They have brought the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (the party’s national secretary), Umar Bature (the national organising secretary), and the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee of the party as the first to sixth defendants.
Additionally, Umar Damagum (the PDP national chairman), Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi have been included as the seventh, eighth, and ninth defendants, respectively.
The plaintiffs seek to prevent the PDP national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are to be elected.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho reiterated that his order to maintain the status quo regarding the convention must be respected by all parties involved in the case.
Joseph Daudu, representing the plaintiffs, urged the court to regard their grievances not merely as internal party matters, but as essential for enforcing compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the PDP Constitution.
The senior counsel contended that the Nigerian Constitution mandates INEC to oversee political party congresses for them to be deemed valid.
He stated that the plaintiffs’ concerns stemmed from the assertion that no legitimate congress had been conducted in 14 states prior to the PDP NWC and NEC issuing a notice for the convention on November 16 and 17.
In contrast, the national chairman of the party, Mr Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro, requested the judge to dismiss the case on the grounds that matters relating to conventions and congresses are internal to the party.
Eyitayo Jegede, representing the NWC and NEC, supported Mr Erokoro’s argument, asserting that courts have no authority to intervene in the internal affairs of the party.
(NAN)
