‘Courts can’t run our party,’ Turaki-led PDP tells S’Court
Supreme Court Reserves Judgment on PDP Leadership Dispute
By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment on multiple appeals and cross-appeals related to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The justices heard arguments from all involved parties before making their decision.
This case has significantly impacted the party’s leadership, following previous court decisions that voided its convention held in Ibadan and upheld the suspensions of several prominent officials.
In a statement released by PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the party expressed its position after the Supreme Court proceedings. The appeals are contesting earlier rulings made by Justices Omotosho and Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which were later affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal had previously confirmed the Federal High Court’s ruling to invalidate the Ibadan convention while maintaining the suspension of key party members, including Samuel Anyanwu and A.K. Ajibade, SAN.
Dissatisfied with these rulings, the PDP has appealed to the Supreme Court, asserting that both lower courts did not have jurisdiction over the matter, which they argue pertains to the party’s internal affairs.
Respondents led by Anyanwu have also filed a cross-appeal, asking the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment that upheld the suspensions of themselves and other party officials.
“All parties adopted their respective processes,” Ememobong noted, adding that after hearing arguments, the court reserved judgment for a later date to be communicated to counsel.
He encouraged all committed members of the PDP to maintain their faith in the party, emphasizing the hope that the Supreme Court will issue judgments supporting multi-party democracy and preventing the rise of a one-party state.
“The Supreme Court has, on numerous occasions in our democratic journey, served as the last hope for Nigeria and its citizens, even in the face of significant challenges,” Ememobong stated.
