Court Restrains PDP from Removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe and Borno State have obtained a court order restraining the National Executive Committee (NEC) from removing the acting National Chairman of the party.

On April 18, the NEC of the party directed that a process for the replacement of Illya Damqgum as the acting national chairman.

The NEC-in-Session directed that at the next meeting on August 18 that a new substantive national chairman shall emerge, while Damagum would revert to his earlier position as the deputy national chairman.

In the SUIT NO: F#C/ARS/C/579/2024 between UMAR EL-GASH MAINA and ZANNA MUSTAPHA GADDAMA as Plaintiff and the PDP, NWC, Board of Trustees and INEC dated May 2 2024 gave an interim order thus:

“That the Acting National Chairman of the 1st Defendant/Respondent shall not be replaced  pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“an order of interim injunction restraining the 5th Defendant/ Respondent, its agents, officers or privies from according recognition to any person other than Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum as Acting National Chairman of the Ist Defendant/Respondent or giving effect to or acting upon any document purporting to be signed by the National Chairman or Acting National Chairman of the 1st Defendant/Respondent without the name and signature of Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

Accordingly, the judge, Justice P.O.Lifu of the Federal High Court said, “it is hereby ordered: The Defendants/Respondents are hereby restrained in the interim, from appointing, selecting, nominating any person to replace Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum as National Chairman or Acting National Chairman of the 1st Defendant/Respondent pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed which is herein fixed against the 1 4th of May, 2024.

“The Defendants/Respondents by themselves, agents, privies or by any proxy, are hereby in the interim, restrained from according recognition to any person other than Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum as Acting National Chairman of the 1st Defendants/ Respondents or giving effect to or acting upon any other order.”

The interim order further stated that, “Thirty (30) days after service of this summons on them, inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons which is issued upon the application of the plaintiffs, through their Solicitor, Dr. J.Y.Musa, SAN of Dr. J. Y. Musa, SAN & Co, No. 4, Kano Street, Behind

Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN & Co.”

The order of the court was served on the National Legal Adviser, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN).

The court adjourned to May 14 2024.