PDP Crisis: Opposition Lawmakers Fault Courts Order on Chairman’s Appointment
*Advise Courts to Stay Away From Internal Party Affairs
By juliet Vincent
The Spokesperson of Nigeria opposition lawmakers coalition, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has faulted court orders against the appointment of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Yayari Ahmed Mohammed after the suspension of Ambassador Iliya Damagun by the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
He urged the courts to stay away from internal party affairs.
Addressing journalist in Abuja on Friday, he stated that, the Court order didn’t stop the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) before they sacked the former acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagun.
According to him, there was no Federal or State High Court order before the long overdue removal of Damagun
as PDP Chairman.
Hon. Ugochinyere added that following the suspension of Amb. Illiya Damagun as the Acting National Chairman of the Party and others.
He noted that, the PDP NWC approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed (Present National Treasurer of PDP) as the Acting National Chairman.
The lawmaker added, “But Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
“The court ordered that no other person must be recognized as PDP national chairman other than Damagun until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.
“Justice Lifu issued the restraining order against PDP NEC, BoT and others while delivering judgment in a suit instituted against them by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina. The judge held that in line with Articles 42, 47 and 67 of PDP, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected”.
The opposition lawmakers coalition spokesperson therefore faulted the judgement saying that Court order didn’t stop the National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP before they sacked the acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagun.
According to him, Justice Lifu’s order in favour of pro Wike APC backed PDP faction came after Damagun has been suspended insisting that, Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed remains the acting chair, while the party awaits the NEC meeting later this month.
