A Niger state high Court sitting in Minna has struck out three separate suits challenging the conduct of the Peoples’ Democratic Party State and Local Government Area congresses held on the 5th of September 2020 and 7th of August 2021 respectively.
Striking out the suit NSHC/MN/160/2021 Abubakar Bawa Umar & 7 others Vs PDP seeking to upturn the National Working Committee’s decision ordering a repeat of Congress in 8 LGAs of Mashegu, Mariga, Magama, Rafi, Paikoro, Shiroro, Suleja and Munya, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu said the “the Decision of the NWC is final”.
Even though in this instant case he agrees with the Preliminary objection raised by counsel to the defendant, PDP, that the court lacks jurisdiction to dabble into the internal affairs of a political party.
He added on Wednesday that a political party is a voluntary organization and any member who joins must obey its internal rules and regulations.
Similar fate was suffered by 2 other cases filed by Engr. Mukhtar Ahmed with 8 others and NSHC/mn/150/2021 Abdullah Isah Mamman & 1 other Vs PDP
The two cases were seeking the annulment of the State PDP Congress held on the 7th of August, 2021 which saw the Emergence of Barrister Tanko Beji led state executive committee.
Delivering the two separate Judgments, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu held that “assuming the suits are competent and justifiable before the court.”
He added that “the main claim of the Plaintiff against the PDP before the court could not prove that there is any violation of the Party’s constitution
“The plaintiffs did not prove that any of the rules and guidelines for the conduct of the state congress has been violated by the Party and did not prove that there was no reasonable notice for the congress.
“That the plaintiff did not prove any of the claims he alleged before the court, since the suits are not justifiable the cases are struck out.
Reacting to the judgment Bar. Tanko Beji who is the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Niger state said the judgment is a welcome development, he enjoined parties to join hands in growing the party and taking it to success.
