The move comes in direct defiance of a Federal High Court Abuja order that bars the PDP from removing its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, has initiated a legal action at the Zamfara High Court, seeking an ex-parte order to convene the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The move comes in direct defiance of a Federal High Court Abuja order that bars the PDP from removing its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
The application, brought pursuant to various rules of the Federal High Court and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, aims to prevent any postponement of the NEC meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, 24th October 2024, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The plaintiffs are requesting an interlocutory injunction to restrain the first defendant, the PDP, and its officials from delaying the meeting pending the final resolution of the substantive suit.
In the legal motion on Tuesday, the faction insists on the exclusivity of the upcoming meeting, seeking to ensure that no other NEC meeting held on different dates is recognized as the 99th NEC Meeting of the PDP.
Additionally, they are pushing to prevent the PDP’s National Working Committee and other bodies from acknowledging the suspended National Vice Chairman for the South East Zone, Ali Odefa, as a member or officer of the party during the ongoing proceedings.
The plaintiffs emphasized that they are legitimate members of the PDP and highlighted the National Working Committee’s role in the day-to-day administration of the party.
They argued that the constitution of the PDP does not grant the National Secretary the authority to exercise disciplinary control over National Officers.
The court is set to hear the motion on a date yet to be announced, which could significantly impact the internal structure of the PDP as it navigates this legal challenge.
It added, “an order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the 1st Defendant, its officers, agents, privies and/or any person or persons claiming through or under it from postponing its National Executive Committee Meeting already scheduled to hold on Thursday 24th October, 2024 at its National Secretariat, Abuja pending the final hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“An order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the Defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies and/or any person or persons.
“An order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the National Working Committee and all other Organs of the 1st Defendant from recognizing the suspended National Vice Chairman (South East Zone), Mr. Ali Odefa as a member or National Officer of the 1st Defendant pending the final hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”