A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a restraining order against the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), restraining them from removing Mr. Umaru Damagum as acting national chairman of the party. issued.
The court’s ruling, handed down on Friday, ensures that Damagum remains the only recognized national chairman until the party’s national convention scheduled for next December.
Judge Peter Riff handed down the judgment in response to a lawsuit filed by Senator Umar El Gash Maina, arguing that changes in the party’s leadership must comply with the provisions outlined in the PDP Constitution.
In his judgment, Judge Riff emphasized that according to Articles 42, 47 and 67 of the PDP Constitution, national officers can only be elected during the national convention.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, highlights concerns raised by the plaintiffs that certain stakeholders within the PDP are secretly plotting to remove Mr. Damagam from his position. he claimed.
Mr. Maina, who claims to be the Yobe State PDP chairman, claimed that there was a move to install Dr. Philip Omeiza Salau, a former deputy governor of Kogi State, to replace Mr. Damagumu.
In his submission, Mr Maina noted that he had previously sent two letters to the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, detailing his concerns about these secret meetings.
He said that despite being notified of the receipt of the letter, neither the National Secretary nor the BoT members took action on the issues raised.
The court upheld Mr. Maina’s claim and ruled that the PDP chairmanship should be rotated between the northern and southern regions, strictly in accordance with the constitutional procedures established by the party.
Judge Riff declared that any attempt to remove Damagum without holding a national convention or a court order violates the party's constitution.
In his concluding remarks, Justice Riff warned that any effort to disrupt the remaining term of the Northern leadership would be considered a grave violation of the PDP constitution.
Previously, a judge had dismissed the defendants’ objections to the lawsuit on the grounds that the plaintiffs had no standing to sue and the court lacked jurisdiction.
Judge Riff ruled that the plaintiffs were premised on their suit to protect against violations of the PDP constitution and short-term changes to the four-year terms of their home northern region.
Judge Riff said the plaintiffs presented their PDP membership cards in court and raised fundamental issues of protection of the PDP constitution, and there was sufficient interest and good cause to file the lawsuit.
The judge therefore declared that the party constitution is binding on the PDP NEC and the BoT and that the replacement of Mr. Damagum as national chairman can only be done through the party’s national convention.
He also maintained that Mr. Damagum was appointed from the Northern Region, the home region of former National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, and is entitled to serve out the remaining term of the National Chairman.
