Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Thursday has nullified all congresses conducted by the people’s Democratic Party PDP in the State, describing it as illegal and lacking in merit under the law of natural justice.
In a suit filed by a Former Member representing Jos South /Jos East Federal Constituency, Bitrus Kaze, challenging their exclusion and calling them non-card-carrying members of the PDP, Justice P.S.Gang while delivery judgment ordered for a fresh conduct of Wards, LGs and State, including National Congress.
The judgment read, that it is illegal and unconstitutional for the national Secretariat to reappoints the Hon Yakubu Chocho caretaker committee to conduct screening for themselves based on section 223 of the federal republic of Nigeria amended and section 25(a) of PDP guidelines for the conduct of wards, LGs, and state congresses stipulated.
The judgment further explained, that the PDP exco whose tenure expired on the 6 of June 2020 after four years then sometimes in July presented a purported letter claiming to be sent by the PDP National Secretariat and they are also aspirants for the various positions from 2nd -25th defendants as they constituted themselves into the caretaker committee to enable them to rig election in their favour and denied other aspirants that is unconstitutional.
While acknowledging the fact, that the PDP national Secretariat has the right to the extent the tenure of exco, the judgment added, that such should be done by a neutral exco that can screen and ensure credibility and transparency in the entire exercise.
The plaintiff’s counsel Munir Barau, reacted to the judgment, while the defendant’s counsel, Niri Darong, declined comments.
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The court also awarded the sum of 2million naira cost against National headquarters of PDP.
