● INWC cites ruling to demand INEC derecognise committee, recognise Turaki-led interim leadership
The Court of Appeal has nullified the judicial recognition earlier granted to the PDP Caretaker Committee, a ruling the party’s Interim National Working Committee, INWC, says invalidates the basis for INEC’s recognition of the group.
National Publicity Secretary of the INWC, Comrade Ini Ememobong, disclosed this in a statement Wednesday after the appellate court delivered judgment on the PDP leadership dispute.
—“No live issues left” – Court of Appeal—
According to Ememobong, the court held there were no longer any live issues requiring determination because the principal matter before it was linked to the PDP national convention, which the Supreme Court had already nullified.
“Our lawyers have informed us that earlier today, the Court of Appeal held that there were no longer any live issues in the appeal since the main issue relates to the national convention, which the Supreme Court has nullified,” the statement said.
—Caretaker recognition “not before the court”—
The PDP faction said the court further ruled that the aspect of the earlier judgment recognising the Caretaker Committee was never an issue placed before it for determination.
“The court also held, inter alia, that the part of the judgment recognising the Caretaker Committee was not an issue before the court and therefore ought not to have been made in the first place. On this score, the court said that the right decision would have been to order a retrial, but in the circumstance where the main issue has become academic, a retrial will serve no useful purpose.”
—Ajibade’s suspension affirmed–
The court also affirmed the suspension of A.K. Ajibade and held he lacked authority to act on behalf of the party, the INWC said. “Furthermore, the Court also affirmed the suspension of A.K. Ajibade (and by extension Sam Anyanwu and co.) and held that he had no power to act on behalf of the Party.”
—INWC urges INEC to switch recognition—
The INWC claimed the judgment effectively nullifies the earlier Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that INEC relied on to recognise the Caretaker Committee. It urged INEC to withdraw that recognition and acknowledge the Interim National Working Committee headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
“This judgment of the Court of Appeal nullifies the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan. The Independent National Electoral Commission, which used the FHC judgment as its basis for recognising the illegal Caretaker Committee, is expected to immediately derecognise them and now recognise the duly constituted Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.”
As of press time, there was no immediate reaction from INEC or those affected by the judgement. The ruling is expected to shape the ongoing contest for control of the PDP’s national structure.
