PDP Leadership Crisis: Appeal Court Adjourns Hearing

The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court yesterday adjourned its hearing in the ongoing leadership tussle within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A three member panel of justices led by Ibrahim Salauwa gave the ruling following an application by counsel to former governor Ali Sheriff faction of the party, Akin Olujimi.

Mr. Olujimi had requested an adjournment by the court to allow the Port Harcourt Division of the appellate court conclude on a similar application.

He prayed the court to allow his application to prevent the emergence of contrasting judgements in the matter.

The counsel representing the Ahmed Makarfi faction, Emmanuel Ukala, opposed the application. Therefore, the appellate court sought a few hours adjournment after which it would listen to the arguments of both parties.

About 6 hours later, Mr. Ibrahim said the court would have to adjourn and fix another date to listen to the arguments.

He acknowledged the efforts of parties for their patience in waiting and said the case had been adjourned till December 15.

While the application at the Abuja Division of the appellate court was filed by Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP; the one filed at the Port Harcourt Division was by Alhaji Ali Sheriff.

Mr. Makarfi seeks to upturn the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court which on June 29 declared his emergence as leader of the party a product of impunity.

Mr. Sheriff on his part asked the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt to nullify the judgement by a high court in the state, presided over by Ahmed Liman which validated the national convention where Mr. Makarfi was elected.

The Port Harcourt Division of the court gave no specific date for its next hearing during the last sitting on November 24.

Meanwhile, The Senate was in a rowdy session over the defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa to the All Progressives Congress as senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party staged a walk-out.

Senator Omogunwa had written a letter to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, informing him of his defection from the PDP to the APC in order to support the Governor-elect of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredoluý

However, trouble started on the floor of the Senate immediately the letter of his defection was read by Saraki.

The Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, came through order 43 to fault the defection of Omogunwa, arguing that the only ground he could defect is if there was division within the PDP, which he said no longer exits as specified by section 68 (C) of 1999 constitution, as amended.

Akpabio raised the point of order saying that Omogunwa’s seat should be declared vacant because the seat is owned by the PDP not APC.

The matter worsened when a constitutional order was raised by Senator Dino Melaye, citing section 68 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

Melaye argued that based on that constitutional order, Omogunwa has the right to defect to the APC, adding that there was crisis going on in the PDP.

However, Senator Peter Nwabochi protested, saying the Senate President had ruled on that issue and there is no need for Melaye to speak on the matter.

Infuriated by the development, the PDP Senators staged a walkout from plenary session to express their dissatisfaction to the development.

Addressing journalists, Akpabio said that what is expected by the Senate leadership is to declare the seat of Omgunwa vacant in order to put an ýend to political rascality.

He said: “We felt that, for today, the way we see it, is that maybe our contributions are not wanted and the excitement of the ruling APC is that they can do it on their own.

“I don’t think that will augur well for the democracy.

“So, we have to make our point very clear to the nation that, yes, we do not support political rascality and this is not the right time for somebody to cross carpet, realising that the party is one.

“And the moment there is no division in a political party and you cross carpet, you cannot go there and sit down with your relish, you should be ashamed of yourself because automatically your seat is in peril.

“At the appropriate time, I believe that working with the caucus, we will work with the national leadership of our party to take a correct legal pronouncement and ensure that the seat is declared vacant.

“Just like you observed, the reason for his jumping the ship from PDP to APC this morning is in order for him to go and support the new governor-elect, Akeredolu.

“That is the reason.

“It is not on the basis that there is a division in the PDP and that is not recognised by the law.

“He stated in his letter that he wanted to go and support Akeredolu.

“He should do so by resigning and giving back our seat.

“He also needs to know that the seat he was occupying, he was doing so in proxy.

“The seat belongs to the PDP.

“The seat does not belong to him.

“If he wishes to go and support his governor-elect, he has the right to resign from the seat and give back our seat to us and the legal process will follow and we will fill the vacancy.

“It is not for him to jump from a corner of the chamber to the other to support his governor-elect.

“It is not for him to do so.

“He ought to resign and go there to become a commissioner or a special assistant or adviser, not to trade the seat of the PDP.