The Save The Nation Movement (STNM) has called on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the running of the party’s affairs, saying; “The Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has already sacked itself, having given effect to the order of Justice O. E. Abang in Suit Number FHC/L/CS/282/2012.”
The group, which said all actions purportedly taken by the NWC since the order was given on April 27, 2012 were null and void, added that; “The PDP NEC must act to avoid contempt of court by giving effect to the court order, which also declared the South-West Zonal Convention held in Oshogbo, Osun State on March 21, 2012 a nullity.”
In a statement issued in Abuja today and signed by its President, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulai, STNM noted that it would amount to building something on nothing for the PDP NWC to continue to pretend that the Justice Abang’s order, which nullified the South-West Zonal Congress of the party did not also affect the National Convention, which produced the NWC members.
“From the wording of the ruling of Justice Abang in the suit Number FHC/L/CS/282/2012 and what we have read in the newspapers, the order granted was in two folds.
“One set aside the South West zonal congress of the PDP held in Osogbo, Osun State, on 21st March 2012 involving the election of delegates to the National Convention of the PDP, while the second part set aside the election of officers at the National Convention of the party.
“That second part, which is the third paragraph of the ruling read; ‘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 is hereby set aside and accordingly nullified.’
“From our elementary understanding of law, participation of delegates elected at the South-West Congress in the National Convention of the PDP, where Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and others were elected as members of the NWC rendered the Convention a nullity, thereby sacking all members of the NWC.
“It was the stay of execution granted on June 25, 2012 by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos presided over by Justice H M Ogunwumiju pending the Appeal filed by the Chief Segun Oni-led PDP zonal executive that enabled the NWC to remain in office till now.
“Therefore, since the Tukur-led NWC had by itself jetitioned the stay of execution granted by the Appellate Court and chosen to obeying the first part of the order granted by a lower court, it must also be made to obey the second part of the order by vacating office.
“Should the NWC however refuses to give effect to the court order, it is our call that the NEC, which is the highest decision making organ of the PDP should dissolve the NWC in obedience to the court pronouncement,” Abdulai said.
