Damagun’s sack as PDP chair in order, says Ugochinyere
Spokesperson of the Coalition of Opposition lawmakers, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) said on Friday that the party did not violate any order of Court in appointing a new Acting National Chairman for the party.
The PDP on Friday announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun and appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed to take his position.
He said Friday’s Court order stopping the sack of Damagun came after the party’s National Working Committee had removed him from office.
Ugochinyere said there was no Federal or State High Court order before the removal of Damagun as PDP Chairman.
Mohammed, who is the National Treasurer, is to Act as National Chairman pending the election of a new national chairman.
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 Damagun.
The court ordered that no other person must be recognised as PDP national chairman other than Damagun until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.
Justice Lifu gave 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 .
While faulting the judgement, Ugochinyere said the Court order didn’t stop the National Working Committee before they sacked Damagun.
He said that Justice Lifu order” in Favour of Pro Wike APC backed PDP faction came after Damagun has been suspended.
He insisted 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.