The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has insisted on holding its national convention on August 17 despite a court ruling against it.
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But the Makarfi caretaker committee described the ruling of Justice Abang as objectionable, questionable and very odd in the history of Nigeria judiciary.
So, our National Convention will hold as scheduled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. “All preparation towards the August 17, 2016 National Convention remains the same”.
In response, Justice Abang posed questions, which he said the Makarfi-led faction should answer to enable the court to determine whose appearance was legal.
Abang said the Port Harcourt Federal High Court had the same co-ordinate jurisdiction with that of Lagos division.
According to Abang, anything done in contravention of the two subsisting orders are unlawful, illegal and should not be recognised.
The orders came on May 12 and May 20 while the PDP convention took place on May 21. That order is still subsisting.
Commending the ruling, Sheriff said the order issued by Justice Abang was a demonstration that some fine judges exist in Nigeria.
The Lagos Division made orders on May 12 and 20, forbidding the PDP from removing the Sheriff-led Caretaker Committee.
However, the caretaker committee had said the court ruling was misinterpreted as it did not set aside the Port Harcourt ruling that instituted the committee.
Adeyeye sad the portion of the ruling relating to the matter read: “though I have powers to nullify the decision of the Port Harcourt Division that recognised Makarfi leadership, I will not do so”. We therefore bring this matter before the highest level of Judiciary in the country to stop this judge forthwith from waging war against the PDP.
The court nullified the appointment of Ahmed Makarfi as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party.
In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr. Richard Ihediwa said that Chief Metuh said he was not a party to the suit neither did he instruct anyone to fill same on his behalf.
Justice Abang ruled that every action the Committee had taken since it emerged through a convention the party purportedly held in Port Harcourt on May 21, amounted to a nullity.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, said the convention was a misadventure.
“The PDP wants Nigerians to know that Justice Okon Abang is deliberately engaging in acts of derailing the country’s democracy given the fact that his court is not an Appeal Court that can set aside any judgment”.
The court also adjourned to August 15 to rule on the application to join other executive members of the Makarfi led committee in the fresh suit filed by Sen.
They are Sheriff as National Chairman; Prof.
In a related development, a former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, has dissociated himself from the court action filed by Sheriff.
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The suit has only the Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP as the defendants.
