- Court declines order by Bala Mohammed’s group to hold NEC meeting
- No more conflict in NWC, says Oyinlola panel
A Federal High Court sitting in Zamfara State has declined request for an exparte order by a faction backed by the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, to hold the party’s National Executive Council.
The group had approached the court for an order to hold the NEC meeting as the party’s factional crisis deepened.
Ruling on the case, Justice Salim Ibrahim declined the request.
The Court also adjourned further hearing on the case to October 25.
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 PDP faction led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State had initiated the legal action at the Zamfara High Court, seeking an ex-parte order to convene the party’s National Executive Council 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 to be held Thursday, October 24 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 insisted 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.
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.”
No more conflict in NWC, says Oyinlola panel
However, the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee, set up to resolve the factionalisation of the National Working Committee in the opposition PDP announced on Tuesday that it has completed its mission.
Addressing journalists after a three-hour marathon meeting with the warring parties, Oyinlola disclosed that the differences within the ranks of the NWC have been resolved, allowing the party to move forward with the task of nation-building.
The former Osun State Governor also noted that his committee would update the PDP Governors’ Forum on its findings and possible recommendations at its meeting later on Tuesday night.
He said, “The outcome of today’s meeting is that, to the glory of God, we have been able to resolve the differences that have been causing our party some headaches within the National Working Committee.
“We thank God that we have been able to open up ourselves and resolve to move forward as a united NWC. This is what we needed for the progress of our party, the PDP.”
When asked to disclose the issues deliberated and resolved at the NWC session, Oyinlola declined.
“The issues resolved are the differences that have permeated the ranks of the NWC. I cannot itemise them for you now,” he quipped.
On whether the controversial NEC meeting would be held on Thursday, as pushed by a faction loyal to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, Oyinlola dodged the question, insisting that it wasn’t part of his mandate.
He said, “That (NEC) wasn’t part of our discussion. I am telling you again that it wasn’t, and I am not in a position to speak on the NEC meeting. I am the chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee.
“There were differences in the NWC, and that has been resolved. So my job is finished.”
Meanwhile, an NWC member privy to their discussion, who requested anonymity, corroborated Oyinlola’s statement.
Although the source also declined to go into details of what transpired, they explained that the outcome and recommendations would be tabled at the PDP Governors’ Forum for a final decision on Tuesday night.
“The outcome of our meeting will be sealed at the PDP Governors’ Forum tonight,” they stated.