FHC Bars PDP N’East From Electing Executive Members

DAMATURU – Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from electing its zonal committee members and national ex-officio for North-East.

The election, which was slated for Saturday, February 22, 2025, became halted following a suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/298/2025.

Delivering the judgement upon the motion exparte dated 10th, but filed on 19th day of February 2025 coming before the honourable court on the 21st day of February was duly signed by the Registrar, Michael Akpiri, a copy which was obtained by our correspondent on Friday in Maiduguri.

The suit filed by the claimant, Dr Nicholas E Msheliza and two others, and the defendants, People’s Democratic Party, the National Chairman of PDP, the National Vice Chairman, PDP northeast and four others, was presided over by justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu.

Counsel to the Applicants, lucky Agbonghese prayed for “an Order of Interim Injuction restraining the Defendants, it’s officers, agents, privies, and/ or any person or persons claiming through or under it from electing it’s Zonal Working Committee members, and National Ex-Officio for the North East, pending the final hearing and determination of the Motion for Interlocutory Injunction.

“AN order restraining the Defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies and/ or any person or persons claiming through or under it from electing it’s Zonal Working Committee members, and National Ex-Officio for the North East in any other dates except on Saturday 22nd February, 2025 pending the final hearing and determination of the Motion.

“Thirdly, an Order to Serve on the Defendants/Respondents the Originating Summons and the Motion on Notice, including all other notices in this suit, by serving at the National PDP Headquarters located at Wadata Plaza, Michael Okpara Way, Wise Zone 5 Abuja.

“And finally, any such further Order or Orders which the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the matter.”

Delivering the judgement, Justice Egwuatu ordered that: “the Respondents to show cause why the application should not be granted.

“That in the Interim, the Respondents are not to do anything that will render the subject matter in this suit nugotory.

“That the parties are to maintain status quo ante bellum as at today 21st Day of February, 2025 pending when the Respondents show cause”.

Finally, the matter is adjourned to the 25th day of February, 2025 for the Respondents to show cause.