- Safiu Kehinde
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a notice of appeal challenging the ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan over the party’s national convention conducted at the Oyo state capital.
As contained in a statement issued during a Press conference on Friday, Tanimu disclosed that the party had approached the court, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Ibadan Convention and to facilitate official party communications with the Commission.
However, the expelled faction led by the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, requested to be joined in the suit after which it filed for the court’s rejection of the order of mandamus.
Tanimu announced that the court, in its ruling earlier today declined his faction’s request, prompting the notice of appeal.
“We are aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered earlier today, which essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought, on the ground that granting same would, in the considered opinion of the court, amount to sitting on appeal over the judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“In the course of the proceedings, some former members of our party, who had earlier been expelled, applied to be joined and were so joined by the court.
“They filed processes urging the court not to grant our prayers, without more. However, and most respectfully, the court proceeded suo motu to grant reliefs that were neither prayed for nor canvassed by any of the parties.
“More importantly, the judgment is in material conflict with subsisting orders and previous judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“Consequently, we have filed a Notice of Appeal as well as a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, and we are determined to pursue this matter diligently and to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.” He said.
Tanimu clarified that the court’s ruling is just one out of many decisions of the Federal High Court.
He maintained that the PDP will rather await the authoritative pronouncement by the appellate courts.
While urging the party’s supporters to remain calm, Tanimu reaffirmed that his election as the PDP’s National Chairman remains legally intact.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this judgment is only one among several decisions of the Federal High Court on this subject matter, and the core issues arising therefrom are already before the Court of Appeal.
“In that sense, this particular judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
“Let me assure all members of our great party that, notwithstanding this judgment, the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact, firmly in place, and fully committed to the ongoing rebirth of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I therefore urge our members and supporters across the country to remain calm and resolute. There is absolutely no cause for alarm. The REBIRTH movement is steadily on course.
“This judgment represents nothing more than the navigation of one of the judicial bends along our journey. The destination remains clear, and as history has consistently shown, it is the final outcome that ultimately matters.” He added.