It was joy all through in the camp of Ahlaji Bamanga Tukur’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party; PDP as a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Baraje’s led faction members from parading themselves as officers of the party.
Justice Evoh Chukwu, in a judgment ordered Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Jaja Sam Jaja and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (claiming to be National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman and National Secretary of the New PDP) to stop parading themselves in that capacity.
The judge also ordered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials not to recognize Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola as national officers of the PDP, either new or old.
Justice Chukwu further restrained the three and Atiku (described as the leader of the New PDP) and their aides or employees from “interfering and continued interference with the duties and functions” of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and other officers of the PDP elected at the August 31 special convention of the party.
The judge also restrained Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku from opening or operating parallel national, states, local and ward secretariats of the PDP.
The judgment was in a suit instituted by Tukur and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP against INEC, Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku.
The plaintiffs had accused Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola of unlawfully holding themselves out as national officers of the PDP, with the backing of Atiku. The plaintiffs contended they were the truly elected officers of the party by virtue of the party’s last special convention and that unless Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola were restrained, INEC would accord them recognition as officers of the PDP.
Justice Chukwu noted that although Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola claimed to have been elected as officers of the party at a convention held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on August 30 this year, they failed to provide material evidence to support their claim.
Meanwhile, in similar development, Kwara State Chapter of the PDP disowned Governor Abdulfatta Ahmed who is a member of the proscribed new People Democratic Party. Delegation from the Kwara PDP led by Ahlaji Lateef Alada told Bamanga Tukur today in Abuja that they are in support of his leadership.
