The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its national chairman, Ali Modu Sherrif, from conducting any election into the party’s Southwest Zonal Executive Committee.
Justice Ibrahim Buba also barred PDP from recognising any such election until the originating summons is determined.
The zonal congress was scheduled to hold on May 14 in Akure, Ondo State and Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.
The judge made the order following an application by the incumbent Zonal Secretary, Chief ’Pegba Otemolu.
He is suing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Sheriff and PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.
The plaintiff is praying the court to hold that it was wrong for the party and its national officers to contemplate organising a zonal congress for the Southwest when the tenure of the Zonal Executive Committee members had not lapsed.
He contended that since members of the zonal EXCO were elected on October 11, 2014 to serve a four-year tenure, their term would end on October 11, 2018.
Granting the plaintiff’s prayer, Justice Buba held “that an order of interlocutory injunction is granted to the Plaintiff/Applicant restraining the second, third and fourth defendants from conducting or permitting or recognising any election into the offices of the South West Zonal Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons.”
The implication is that the Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe-led zonal EXCO will continue in office until the suit is determined.
Justice Buba adjourned till May 24 for hearing. (Channels TV)