PDP faults judgement stopping its convention, heads for Appeal court

* Calls judgement assault on nation’s democracy

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Friday’s judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which stopped its planned November 15 and 16 elective national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.

Justice Kolawole Omotosho had, while delivering judgement on the matter, stopped the party from going ahead with its planned convention, saying that the party did not comply with necessary requirements for the convention.

However, the leading opposition party in the country, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba declared that the judgement was appalling.

The PDP stated that the judgment of the court did not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new national officers to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.

The PDP revealed, in the statement, that as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, committed to the Rule of Law, it has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in its unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.

The statement by Ologunagba reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.

“However, the PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years.

“Our Party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.

“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapter and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party.

“Nevertheless, the PDP as the leading opposition Party in Nigeria committed to the Rule of Law has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country”, it said.