Spokesperson of Nigeria opposition lawmakers coalition, Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has said that court order didn’t stop the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before they sacked the acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagun.
He said there was no Federal or State High Court order before the long overdue removal of Damagun as PDP Chairman.
Recall that following the suspension of Ambassador Illiya Damagun as the Acting National Chairman of the Party and others, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed (Present National Treasurer of PDP) as the Acting National Chairman.
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 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.
Reacting, Ugochinyere 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.
He said that Justice Lifu order” in Favour of Pro Wike APC backed PDP faction came after Damagun has been suspended.
He insists that Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed remains the acting chair, while the party awaits the NEC meeting later this month.
He, however, urged the courts to stay away from of internal party affairs.