…says decision, an assault on democracy
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday formally reacted to the ruling of the Abuja High Court, which suspended its Ibadan National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15, saying the ruling did not affect its preparations for the event.
While describing the court’s action as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process”, the party asked its members to remain focused on going to Ibadan for the convention.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shocked by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over today by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.
“However, the PDP asserts that the court ruling does not vitiate its ability to continue processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new national officials who will direct the affairs of the Party for the next four years,” said the National Publicity Secretary, Honorable Debo Ologunagba, reacting to the ruling.
The party referred to the Supreme Court’s April 4 ruling, which empowered political parties to regulate their internal affairs, and noted that the party would go ahead as host of the convention.
However, Ologunagba clarified that as a law-abiding organization, the PDP had also directed its lawyers to appeal the verdict.
Furthermore, he stated: “Our Party takes note of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court that affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.
“Therefore, the PDP urges its members, Chapter and Bodies to remain steadfast and focused in the preparations for the holding of our Party’s National Convention.
“However, the PDP, as the main opposition party in Nigeria committed to the rule of law, has directed its lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”
Three aggrieved members of the party, namely Honorable Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman); Honorable Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman); and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), had taken the PDP to court, asking for the convention to be stopped for violation of the 1999 Constitution, the 2022 Electoral Act and the PDP constitution.
Specifically, they had cited the alleged exclusion of some key stakeholders from the convention preparations, among other concerns.
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