The spokesperson of the Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Kyari Jitau, has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld an earlier ruling that nullified the party’s national congress held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Jitau stated that the party’s Jigawa branch had maintained from the beginning that an injustice was done to former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, after he was prevented from contesting during the congress.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that the appeal filed by the PDP lacked merit. The court affirmed that the Federal High Court acted appropriately in its October 31 judgment when it granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and nullified the congress.
The appellate court also dismissed the PDP’s argument that the trial court lacked jurisdiction on the grounds that the matter was purely an internal party affair.
According to the ruling, the plaintiffs had the locus standi (legal right) to approach the court in order to protect their democratic rights.
Additionally, the court rejected the PDP’s claim that it was denied a fair hearing during the trial, noting that the allegation could not be substantiated.
Reacting to the development in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, the PDP spokesperson in Jigawa State, Umar Kyari Jitau, described the judgment as a victory for democracy within the party.
“We in the PDP in Jigawa State are happy with the judgment delivered by the court. From the beginning, we told the world that what happened was not right. It was an injustice to democracy,” Jitau said.
He explained that the controversy arose from the exclusion of former governor Alhaji Sule Lamido from contesting at the congress.
“Among those who founded the party and have worked tirelessly for its growth is Alhaji Sule Lamido, yet he was denied the opportunity to contest in the congress in broad daylight due to personal interests,” he said.
According to him, Lamido subsequently sought legal redress, a move that led to the nullification of the congress by the court.
“After he went to court, the court confirmed that what happened was not right and nullified the election. Now the Court of Appeal has also upheld that earlier judgment,” he stated.
Jitau noted that the ruling clears the way for the party to begin preparations for another congress.
“Now it is necessary to return and begin preparations for a new congress. From what we are hearing, by next month, God willing, another congress will be held where new executives will be elected,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the latest development would help rejuvenate the party.
“Alhamdulillah, the PDP will now experience a revival and return to the way it was before,” Jitau said.
