This order was given by the court after hearing an ex parte motion filed by Umar El-Gash Maina and Zanna Mustapha Gaddama.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from removing Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum as the party’s national chairman.
This order was given by the court after hearing an ex parte motion filed by Umar El-Gash Maina and Zanna Mustapha Gaddama.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Executive Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Board of Trustees (BOT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed as the respondents in the motion.
The order reads: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st - 4th Defendants/ Respondents, their agents, privies by whatsoever name called from appointing, selecting or 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.
“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 1st 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.
“And for any other order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
SaharaReporters reported in April that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reform Vanguard had demanded the immediate resignation of Damagum.
The group on Thursday, April 18 stormed the PDP headquarters in Abuja before its National Economic Council meeting scheduled for the day.
It also urged the NEC to sanction the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for alleged anti-party activities and implored members of the NEC to summon the courage and conviction necessary to take the tough decisions required to reposition the party for greatness.
The convener of the PDP reform, Usman Seidu, while speaking said Damagum and Wike had "undermined our collective efforts and jeopardized our very existence as a formidable opposition force”.
He said the continuous presence of individuals like Damagum and Wike was not only detrimental to their progress but a clear and present danger to the survival of the party. He said if the party failed to take decisive action against those who had betrayed their trust, then it risked losing the faith and support of its loyal members across the country.