Fresh crisis looms in PDP as south-west exco sues Makarfi

The south-west zonal executive committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a suit at the federal high court, Abuja, seeking the nullification of the 75th national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the party.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/732/2017 has the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi and Ben Obi, Eddy Olafeso, Bunmi Jenyo and the inspector-general of police, as defendants.

The zonal committee is also seeking a nullification of the adoption of the special non-elective national convention of the party which held last Saturday in Abuja.

In the suit filed by Pega Otemolu, zonal secretary, the committee also asked the court to nullify the dissolution of the PDP south-west executive committee and the appointment of a zonal executive committee in replacement thereof.

Also in another suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/701/2017, Ogun PDP under the leadership of Adebayo Dayo is praying the same court to set aside its “purported” dissolution of the NEC and the national convention.

In his suit, Otemolu argued that the PDP deliberately defied the order and judgment of the court in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/605/16, delivered on the May 17, 2016, and June 24, 2016, respectively; and also contravened the terms and purpose of the interim order made on August 10, by the court.

Specifically, the Ogun PDP is praying the court for “an order nullifying the ratification by and/or affirmative resolution of the special non-elective national convention of the first defendant/respondent of the 12th day of August 2017 sanctioning, approving or effecting the dissolution of the PDP Ogun state executive committee and the appointment of a state caretaker committee in replacement thereof.

“An order nullifying the decision or resolution of the PDP special non-elective national convention of the 1st defendant/respondent of 12th August 2017 directing or approving the conduct of a state congress for the election of new members of the PDP Ogun state executive committee.

“An order restraining the 1st Defendant from setting up a caretaker committee to take over the functions of the Plaintiffs as members of the executive committee of the PDP in Ogun state.”

The Ogun PDP is also seeking an order restraining INEC from supervising any congress in the state.

The matter had been adjourned until September 5 for the hearing of all pending applications.