Segun Sowunmi approaches court seeking proscription of Peoples Democratic Party

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi has approached the court seeking for proscription of the party for failure of the party to obey its constitution and refusal to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting within constitutionally stipulated period.

Penpushing reports that Showunmi had earlier through his lawyer in the suit approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while the court has, however, adjourned the case to March 18,2024

The plaintiff also in the suit prayed the court for an order compelling the party’s officials to convene a National Executive Coouncil(NEC) meeting and a restraining order preventing the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from further delays.

Penpushing further reports that on Monday at the resumed hearing of the matter, Sowunmi’s counsel Anderson Asemota, told the court that all parties in the suit had been duly served, adding that the court that, he had received the counter-affidavit from the defendants challenging the motion filed by the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, to be joined in the suit.

The plaintiff through his lawyer pointed out that he tried to file his response before the hearing but it was not possible, and equally prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him peruse the counter-affidavit and respond appropriately.

Penpushing also reports the defendants did not oppose the application for an adjournment, hence, the judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, adjourned the matter until March 18, 2024 to hear all applications filed in the suit as well as the substantive matter.

The counsel of Sowunmi explained that some of the grounds on which the defendants were opposing the motion for joinder were that Lamido was not a necessary party in the suit, also claiming that Sowunmi alone was sufficient enough to handle the matter and that moreover, he was not a National Executive Council (NEC) member.

Penpushing reports that the plaintiff specifically sued the party, its National Chairman and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, seeking an order to compel them to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The other defendants in the suit include the National Auditor, Okechukwu Daniel, the National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari, and the National Youth Leader, Muhammed Kadade, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Penpushing further reports that Sowunmi stressed that he had insisted that the meeting be convened for the purpose of providing updates on the activities of the party from the date of the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The plaintiff in the suit is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd to 8th defendants by themselves or their servants, agents or privies from functioning or continuing to function or discharge the functions of their offices.

Penpushing also reports that Sowunmi in one of his prayers wants the defendant to call for or cause to be called and held, a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) in total fidelity and obeisance of the party’s constitution.

The party chieftain in similar vein, wants the court to declare that by virtue of the provisions of Article 31(2)(d), 4 and 5 of the PDP constitution (as amended in 2017), he, as the spokesperson of the party during the last election is obligated and/or entitled to file the suit to give effect to the aims and objectives of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and to ensure that the provisions of Article 7 of the  party constitution are observed and respected by members and national officers.

“A declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Article 31 (2)(4) and (5) of the PDP constitution and Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 1st to 7th defendants are obligated to call or cause to be called and held quarterly or at the request of one-third of members of NEC of the PDP, the meeting of the NEC of the PDP at which the 1st to 7th defendants shall be present quarterly financial reports or income and expenditure of the party to the members of the NEC’.

“A declaration that, under and by virtue and the provisions of Article 31 (2)(4) and (5) of the PDP constitution and Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 1st to 7th defendants are obligated to call for or cause to be called and held quarterly or at the request of the one-third of members of the NEC of the PDP at which the defendants shall present quarterly reports containing the activities of the PDP to the members of the NEC’.

Penpushing reports that Sowunmi also wants the court to declare that the defendants are under obligation to call for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to present proposed guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections to the party offices at all levels and procedures of selecting party candidates for elective offices to the National Executive Council (NEC) members.

“A declaration that, having failed, refused and/or neglected to call for meeting and held quarterly or at the request of one-third of members of the NEC of PDP in which the 8th defendant (INEC) ought to have been invited, the 1st to 7th defendants are in the breach and/or violation of the constitution of the party and the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022’.

Penpushing reports that the plaintiff in an affidavit filed in support of the suit, noted that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party was last convened by the sacked National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, on September 8, 2022

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