Court stops Southwest PDP zonal congress

The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, from conducting any election into the party’s Southwest Zonal Executive Committee.

Justice Ibrahim Buba barred PDP from recognising any such election, until the originating summons is determined.

The zonal congress is scheduled to hold tomorrow in Akure, Ondo State and Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

The judge made the order, following an application by the Zonal Secretary, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu.

He is suing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Sheriff and PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

The plaintiff is praying the court to hold that it was wrong for the party and its national officers to contemplate organising a zonal congress for the Southwest when the tenure of the Zonal Executive Committee members had not lapsed.

He contended that since members of the zonal exco were elected on October 11, 2014 to serve four years tenure, their term would end on October 11, 2018.

Granting the prayer, Justice Buba held: “That an order of interlocutory injunction is granted to the plaintiff/applicant restraining the second, third and fourth defendants from conducting or permitting or recognising any election into the offices of the South West Zonal Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.”

The implication is that the Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe-led zonal exco will continue in office until the suit is determined.

Justice Buba adjourned till May 24 for hearing.

But Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said the congress slated for Akure, Ondo State, will hold as scheduled.

The governor, who addressed reporters at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, said materials for the Congress had been distributed through the appropriate authority.

He said the party was not aware of any court order, stopping the

congress and as such, machinery is in motion for a hitch-free congress.

“I can confirm that materials for the congress have been handed to the Congress Committee and the committee is set for the Congress.

“Anyone talking about court order is only deceiving himself and it is now time for the party to operate devoid of any abracadabra court orders.

“I, therefore, urge all delegates and leaders of our party to converge on Akure tomorrow for the congress as scheduled,” the governor said.