Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the judgment delivered on Friday by a Federal High Court in Abuja stopping on its forthcoming convention as an ‘assault on Nigeria’s democratic process’.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, maintained that the court order would not stop its planned national convention.

Ologunagba said that the party was appalled by the judgment delivered by the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, in a suit challenging the legality of the party’s processes leading to its planned Nov. 15 convention in Ibadan.

The full statement;

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.

However, the PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years.

“Our Party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.

“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapter and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party

“Nevertheless, the PDP as the leading opposition Party in Nigeria committed to the Rule of Law has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the forthcoming peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of the convention.

Justice Omotosho, who challenged the legality of the convention, held that evidence from the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.

The judge equally held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its national chairman without the national secretary, violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.

Besides, he held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.

Justice Omotosho held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law had put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to do the needful before going ahead with the election.

The judge, therefore, restrained INEC from monitoring, receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the convention slated for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, until the law had been complied with.(NAN)

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has recorded a total of 553,751 registered members across the 23 LGAs of Benue State, barely three months after its official unveiling in the state.

The disclosure was made on Monday, October 27, during a meeting of the ADC Benue State Executive Committee and 23 LG committee chairmen, held at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi.

The meeting reviewed the ongoing membership registration and the party’s increasing acceptance across the state.

Addressing the session, the State Committee Chairman, High Chief Terngu Tsegba, lauded members of the state, local government and ward committees for their efforts in sensitizing and mobilizing residents in both urban and rural areas, which he said has led to the party’s “overwhelming acceptability and membership large registration”.

Tsegba urged local committees to remain focused and inclusive, saying, “The ADC is a party for all Nigerians built on equality, fairness and transparency in all its processes.”

Those present at the meeting included the State Secretary, Samson Okwu; Publicity Secretary, Stevie Ayua;bProf. Cletus Tyoikyaa; Abeije Egwa; Elizabeth Allagh; Ato Agber and the 23 local government committee chairmen.