…As Bode George Condemns Judgement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed disappointment on Friday with the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which halted its national convention.
The court, presided over by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, today issued an order requiring it to comply with the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The main opposition party described the development as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
A statement released by Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesman, noted that the court’s judgment doesn’t vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities leading up to the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the party’s affairs for the next four years.
Ologunagba said, “Our party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.”
He said the party has decided to ask members, Chapters and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party
“Nevertheless, the PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, committed to the rule of law, has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country.” He said
Recall that Justice Omotosho held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
The judge maintained that evidence from the electoral umpire, as well as some of the respondents, showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation, in breach of the law.
In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondence by the PDP’s National Chairman without the National Secretary’s approval violated the law and, consequently, rendered such notices and correspondence null and void.
The Judge cited the PDP’s failure to issue the mandatory 21-day notice of meetings and congresses, which enabled INEC to carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
This, according to the judge, had put the planned convention in jeopardy and subsequently advised the PDP to take the necessary steps before proceeding with the election.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan until the law has been complied with.
The National Chairman of the Party, Iliya Damagun, and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, spoke on the Judgement of the Court.
Meanwhile, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, described the judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court as “the joke of the century, open recipe for anarchy and a display of judicial brigandage”.
The Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, in a press statement on Friday, said: “This judgement will consume this country. It is high time the judge put down his wig and gown to join politics. What is going on? This doesn’t make any sense at all.
“I call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call this judge to order. Any judgment that could lead to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. What power does he have to order the PDP not to have its National Convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs? “During all our congresses leading to this convention, INEC officials were present.
“The electoral body witnessed the procedure. They took notes. INEC is not complaining. The judge did not even call INEC officials to cross-check facts, and tell him what they witnessed during our congresses. So, why is the judge complaining? Does he have a political interest?
“What type of judgement is this? Are we still in a democracy? We have to be careful in this country. The CJN and NJC should monitor some of these judges before they set our democracy on fire.
“PDP is the oldest and most experienced party in the country today. Since 1998, when we formed this party, we have consistently adhered to the law during our congresses and conventions. So, nobody should teach us what we already know”.
He lamented that the judiciary is being used to truncate democracy in the largest black-populated country in the world.
George dismissed all the grounds adduced for the judgment, stating that it wasn’t the prerogative of the court to delve into the internal affairs of a political party in managing its affairs, as these were entrenched in its internal dynamics and constitution.
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