The spokesperson to the Jigawa State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Kyari Jitau has said that the party welcomes the Court of Appeal judgment affirming an earlier ruling that nullified the party’s national congress held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Jitau said the Jigawa branch of the party told the world from the onset that an injustice was done to Sule Lamido when he was stopped from contesting at the congress.
Recall that in a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the appeal filed by the PDP lacked merit. The court ruled that the Federal High Court acted correctly when it delivered its October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The appellate court also rejected the PDP’s argument that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter on the grounds that the dispute was purely an internal affair of the party. The court held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi (legal right) to institute the suit in order to protect their democratic rights.
It further ruled that the PDP’s claim that it was denied fair hearing during the trial could not be substantiated.
Reacting to the judgment in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, the PDP spokesperson in Jigawa State, Umar Kyari Jitau, described the ruling 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 dispute stemmed from the exclusion of former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, from contesting during 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 approached the court to challenge the process, which resulted in the nullification of the congress.
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 said the ruling means the party would now begin preparations for a fresh 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 optimism that the development would help revive the party.
Alhamdulillah, the PDP will now experience a revival and return to the way it was before,” Jitau said.
