Tag: PDP

 

 

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, warned against action that may undermine his decision in the ongoing suit seeking to stop the scheduled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s convention.

Justice Omotosho gave the warning following the complaint by lawyer to the PDP, Chris Uche, SAN, that his client was being held back by the status quo maintenance order by the court and applied for speedy hearing of the suit.

The judge, however, reaffirmed that the status quo order remains in force and must not be flouted by any of the parties involved in the suit.

He said no party must take any step that may render the decision of the court negatory and threatened that he would be forced to make consequential order against any party that resort to self help.

The judge said that the court would do everything possible to deliver judgement expeditiously for the respective parties to know their fate.

He cautioned against using any ploy to delay speedy hearing of the suit.

Earlier at the resumed hearing, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, who is the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, and Uche maintained their status as the legal representative of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Omotosho had, on Tuesday, adjourned the matter until today for the PDP to put its house in order on legal representation.

However, when Ajibade and Uche insisted being the lawyers to appear for PDP, the judge directed them to file their processes for the court to determine the proper legal representation for the party.

Justice Omotosho consequently fixed Oct. 20 for the hearing of the substantive suit and other motions before him.

The judge fixed the date following confirmation that virtually all processes for and against the suit had been filed.

The judge ordered that the filed processes must be exchanged by all parties latest on Oct. 17 so as to pave way for accelerated hearing of the suit.

NAN reports that Ajibade and Umar Damagun, the National Chairman of PDP, on Tuesday, disagreed in open court on
who had the power to appoint lawyer to represent the party.

While Damagum, who was physically present in court in a letter he personally signed, mandated Uche, SAN, to represent PDP in the suit, Ajibade insisted that he was the only authority that could appoint legal representation for the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiffs; Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), had filed the suit.

They had sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party; Umar Bature, National Organising Secretary of the party; National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs had instituted the suit to stop the planned Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State where it’s new national officers are expected to be elected.

 

The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, and its National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, on Tuesday, disagreed in court on
who has the power to appoint lawyer to represent the party.

The development occured at the hearing of a suit seeking to stop the PDP’s planned national convention before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

While Damagum, who was present in court , in a letter he personally signed, mandated Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to represent PDP in the suit, Ajibade insisted that he was the only authority that could appoint legal representation for the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiffs; Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), had filed the suit.

They had sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party; Umar Bature, National Organising Secretary of the party; National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs had instituted the suit to stop the planned Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State where it’s new national officers are expected to be elected.

When the matter was called on Tuesday, Joseph Daudu, SAN, announced appearance for the three plaintiffs.

But Chief Uche, with more than five other senior advocates, announced appearance for PDP, the move that was immediately countered by Ajibade, who also announced appearance for the same party.

Uche informed Justice Omotosho that he had a letter from national chairman, appointing him to represent the party in the suit while, at the same time, Ajibade replied that he was the sole authority vested with power by PDP constitution to appoint legal representation for the party.

Ajibade cited some judgements to back his argument.

The judge then stood down the hearing of the matter for ten minutes to allow Damagun and Ajibade resolve their differences.

Meanwhile when the case was recalled, the two parties reported that they were unable to reconcile on legal representation, prompting Uche to seek for a short adjournment to enable Damagun and Ajibade agree on a common ground.

Responding, Daudu, who appeared for the plaintiffs, prayed the judge to go ahead into the hearing of his client’s matter if on the next adjourned date, the two parties were unable to resolve their differences.

Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed Oct. 16 for the hearing of the matter.

Earlier, the judge joined Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as 7th, 8th and 9th defendants in the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

They were joined in two separate applications argued by their respective lawyers, Paul Erokoro, SAN, and Audu Anuga, SAN.

Erokoro, while arguing Damagum’s motion for joinder, informed the court that he was a necessary party on account of his being the party’s national chairman; chairman of the National Working Committee (NWC), chairman of the National Executive Committee as well as the chairman of the convention committee.

Anuga, while moving the motion for joinder on Odefa and Ogidi’s behalf, told the court that the two were officers of the PDP, who would be affected one way or the other by the outcome of the case.

Although Daudu vehemently opposed the application, the judge granted the request.

He then ordered the three plaintiffs to join them as 7th, 8th and 9th defendants respectively.

The judge also ordered the plaintiffs to effect consequential amendments for the names of the three people to reflect in the processes that would be filed in respect of the matter.

NAN reports that Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was also present in court.

Courtesy: Daily Post

By. Asare Asare

A 20-member committee led by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, has been inaugurated to plan the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, congress in Cross River State.

The inauguration was conducted by the state party chairman, Vena Ikem, at the party’s secretariat in Calabar on Friday and was witnessed by stakeholders.

Ikem described the congress committee as “a galaxy of stars”, noting that it reflects the quality of people still available within the party in the state.

Speaking further, he said the PDP would capitalise on the mistakes of the APC-led administration in Cross River and turn them into victory.

According to him, the party has total control of the Cross River North senatorial district but is working to secure another district.

“We need to focus our energy on what we are doing in our state, take advantage of the mistakes APC, reposition our party and transform it to victory.

“We have total control of northern senatorial district and will remain impenetrable. What we need is another senatorial district and we are gone”, he said.

Ikem also claimed that the PDP still boasts credible members, stressing that the challenges facing the party at the national level are “superficial” and would soon pass.

He emphasised that PDP remains a platform for those with conviction and courage to serve.

In his response, Prof. Zana Akpagu said the committee fully understands the gravity of its mandate.

“We wholeheartedly accept this responsibility. We know the import of this task and we are not taking this assignment for granted,” he said.

 

…Charges Senator to get Ready to Resume at NASS.

By

Abuja: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in the strongest term possible, the attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to bar Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming at the Senate after the unjust six months suspension imposed on her by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba read:

This reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly smacks of a calculated attempt orchestrated by the Senator Akpabio-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate leadership to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.

The attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate is highly provocative and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy and overall stability of our country.

It also comes as parts of the antics being deployed severally by the APC-controlled Senate and the Federal Government to suffocate the opposition which further confirms the creeping totalitarianism in our country under the APC government.

The reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further brings to the fore the allegations of attacks on the right of women and sustained attempts to stifle their voices as witnessed in the various accusations of harassment against women levelled against the current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio over the years.

The PDP demands that the Senate President should come clean on the various allegations instead of seeking to use the National Assembly establishment to further harass, intimidate and keep Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan away from the Senate.

The extreme persecution of six months suspension unjustly imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, contrary to the Rules of the Senate is more than enough and the PDP stands with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in condemning this unwarranted renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Our Party strongly cautions the Clerk of the National Assembly to withdraw the said letter and play by the rules by being neutral as a bureaucrat and not allow himself to be politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the Rule of Law in the National Assembly and Nigeria.

The PDP calls on the International Community, Democracy Institutions, Right Advocacy Groups and other democracy development partners to rise up in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

While charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk of the National Assembly and get ready to resume at the Senate, the PDP demands that the Senate leadership ensures that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the removal of four lawmakers representing Osun State at the National Assembly (NASS) for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers include two senators and two members of the House of Representatives.

They are Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District; Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi for Osun Central Senatorial District; Hon. Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya who represents Atakumosa East/West and Ilesa East/West Federal Constituency, and Hon. Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro representing Ife Central/East/North and South Federal Constituency.

The PDP, in four separate suits filed on Wednesday by its lead counsel, Rapheal Oyewole, had sued the legislators as 1st defendant in each of the case.

While the President of the Senate is sued as 2nd defendant in the suit against the senators, the Speaker is named as 2nd defendant in the matter against the two House members.

However, the National Assembly, Clerk of NASS and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as 3rd to 5th defendants in the suits respectively.

The party, which sought six questions for determination, asked if whether by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution 1999 (as amended), a senator or House member such as the lawmakers are not liable to forfeit their legislative seat after resigning the membership of the plaintiff political party on whose platform they were elected, before the end of the term for which they were elected, devoid of any division, merger and/or faction in the plaintiff political party.

The PDP, therefore, prayed the court to declare that the continued occupation of the legislative seat by the four lawmakers after defecting from the party on whose platform they were elected, without satisfying the express provision under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, constitutes a breach of the constitution and renders their seats vacant by operation of law.

It also prayed the court to make an order of mandamus compelling the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to, forthwith, declare their seats vacant accordingly.

The PDP urged the court to direct Akpabio, Abbas and INEC to discharge their constitutional duties as provided by the law by declaring the seat vacant and initiating processes for the conduct of bye-elections into the vacant seats in the senatorial districts and constituencies.

The party sought an order directing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) to withdraw all entitlements and stop payments of salaries, allowances, including benefits to Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro.

It equally sought an order directing the embattled lawmakers to refund all salaries, emoluments, benefits and allowances received from the date of their resignation from PDP to the date of judgment, having unlawfully retained a legislative seat in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

The PDP said the court decision would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The plaintiff had, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1725/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1728/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1727/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1726/2025, sued Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro respectively.

Meanwhile, the suits, filed on August 20, are yet to be assigned to a judge.

It would be recalled that the Osun State PDP chapter had, recently, dragged Rep Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of the state, before Justice Emeka Nwite over his defection to APC.

The state’s party had continued to activate the provisions of the constitution as contained in Section 68(1)(g) which borders on defection of legislators during the term for which they were elected.

 

By Ike Abonyi

IT was a gathering of egg heads in Abuja on Wednesday, and Nigeria’s Situation was thoroughly x-rayed at the presentation of two books written by renowned Nigerian journalist, Ike Abonyi.

Speaker after speaker took on the political situation in the country from different perspectives, all unanimous that Nigeria is not moving in the right direction.

The chairman of the occasion and renowned banker, Alhaji Mohammad Hayatudeen, kicked off with a stress that  Nigeria could be better than it is as he praised the author for the good job.

The former Ohanaeze President, Chief John Nnia Nwodo catalysed the discussion with his exhaustive paper, titled, How We Get Here? In his paper, he provides a historical look at Nigeria’s past and the steady decay of the political system

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who was the chief book Presenter, ably represented by the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, praised the Author of the book for putting his thoughts together for posterity.

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in his short remarks reiterated his concern for the growing poverty in the land.

One of the books, ‘Wadata Wonders: Memoirs of a Partisan Journalist,’ was titled after the building housing the PDP national secretariat.

Obi’s presence at the event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, is coming just days after the PDP publicly admitted it was making concerted efforts to bring the former vice-presidential candidate back into its ranks ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although he remained tight-lipped on the matter, Obi’s attendance at an event overwhelmingly populated by PDP leaders may be fueling fresh speculation about the possibility of a political realignment.

 Former National Chairman of PDP Prince Uche Secondus was more blunt declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is

steering Nigeria towards liquidation.

The two books were reviewed by a foremost Journalist, former Managing Director of the Guardian Newspaper.

 Other personalities that graced the occasion include former Governor of Rivers State Chief Celestine Omehia, instead of Foreign Affairs Bala Buhari, serving Senator Austin Akobundu, foremost academia, Prof Udenta Udenta

***Ike Abonyi, a former group political editor of THISDAY and pioneer deputy managing director of New Telegraph, served for over four years as Media Adviser to two PDP national chairmen, an experience detailed in one of the books ‘Wadata Wonders.’

Moses Ajayi, chairmanship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has promised to be a listening leader and serve the people of Olorunda LCDA.

Mr Ajayi made this known during an interview with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled local government elections for July 12 across the state’s 57 local councils.

Mr Ajayi stated that, if elected, he would deliver the dividends of democracy and prioritise the people’s welfare.

He pledged to bring tangible development, including better infrastructure, quality education, accessible healthcare, and economic empowerment to the community.

The candidate said his ambition was rooted in a deep commitment to serve the people of Olorunda LCDA sincerely and effectively.

Mr Ajayi, a grassroots politician, assured residents that inclusive growth and sustainable development would be his administration’s focus.

He noted that several parties were in the race but believed Olorunda residents knew who truly deserved their trust.

“I appeal to all residents: do not be discouraged or intimidated by any threats during the election,” he said.

Mr Ajayi encouraged everyone to collect their voter cards and exercise their civic responsibilities freely and without fear.

He urged voters to come out in large numbers and support the PDP during the July 12 election.

According to him, Olorunda needs a listening leader committed to real development in the community.

He reiterated his belief that residents were wise enough to make the right decision at the polls.

“I again appeal to everyone: reject intimidation, collect your voter cards, and vote without fear,” he said.

Mr Ajayi described politics as a game of numbers and called on all eligible voters in Lagos to support the PDP.