An Abuja based group, Society for Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN) has called for the dissolution of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC), saying; the NWC ceased to exist consequent upon the court order granted on April 27, 2012 by Justice O. E. Abang in Suit Number FHC/L/CS/282/2012 between Chief Dapo Soremi and others, and the PDP and five others.
The group, which however commended the PDP for its decision to adhere to the rule of law, noted that; “Having effected a part of the Justice Abang order by dissolving the South-West Zonal Working Committee in line with the order, the party must also dissolve the NWC as ordered by the court.”
In a statement issued today by its National Coordinator, Comrade Chima Ubeku, SRLN said; “as a group that is concerned with the sustenance of rule of law in the country, we felt obliged to comment on the decision taken by the PDP yesterday, most especially because of its effect on party politics in the country.
“First and foremost, we are happy that PDP has chosen to follow the path of rule of law and constitutionality.
“We are however worried that the party waited for close to one year that Justice Abang gave the order and after the ruling had been appealed against and stay of execution granted before giving effect to the ruling.
“Most importantly, the order granted by Justice O. E. Abang in the suit Number FHC/L/CS/282/2012 was; That the South West Zonal Congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party held in Osogbo Osun State on 21st March 2012 involving the election of delegates to the National Convention of the party is hereby set aside and accordingly nulified.
“The election of officers at the National Convention of the 1st Respondent (PDP) involving only those that emerged as purported elected delegates from South West Zonal Congress of the 1st Respondent (PDP) is hereby set aside and accordingly nullified.
“The implication of the above is that the participation of ‘delegates’ elected at the Zonal Congress in Oshogbo in the National Convention held on March 24, 2012 rendered the Convention invalid, thereby nulifying the election of all members of the NWC.
“It is therefore our demand that the PDP NWC should be dissolved in accordance with the court order in suit number FHC/L/CS/282/2012 the same way the South-West Zonal Working Committee was dissolved based on the order.
“Failure to do this within 14 days will mean that the party only chooses which part of court judgments to obey and we will have no other option than to approach the court for the order to be effected.”
