A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday warned the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) against taking any steps to organise a fresh congress in Ogun State without first complying with its order made on the 27 April.
The Court had on 27 April voided the South West Zonal congress of the PDP which produced former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni, as the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-West).
The court had also ruled that the congress was in violation of a subsisting order of court and directed parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of suit instituted by the Dayo Soremi faction of the party in Ogun State
The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang however warned parties affected to comply with the order failing which his court will not hesitate to invoke its disciplinary powers against any erring party.
The judge’s position was informed by complaints from lawyer to the applicants, Ajibola Oluyede that the national leadership of the PDP, led by Bamaga Tukur was planning a fresh congress for the party in Ogun State, despite the order of court.
He drew the court’s attention to a newspaper publication and a certain message from the party’s national leadership planning to hold the fresh congress, which he said was calculated to destroy the essence of a fresh contempt proceeding he has commenced against the new leadership of the party.
However despite denials from the defendants’ lead lawyer, Kunle Kalejaiye that he was unaware of any plan for a fresh congress, Justice Abang has elected to hear the applicants’ motion for commital proceedings along with the defendants’ application challenging the competence of the motion.
He adjourned to the 31st of May for the hearing of both applications following which the court will consider all other pending applications in the matter.
The applicants in the suit filed by members of the harmonized Executive of the PDP in Ogun State include Dayo Soremi, Bayo Dayo and Taiwo Abisekan.
Named as defendants are the PDP, former Acting National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Tajudeen Oladipo, Uche Secondus, Olusola Oke and Prof Rufia Alkali.
