A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday nullified the election of Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday nullified the election of Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
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While ruling on a suit filed by the Chairman of Ogun State PDP, Adebayo Dayo, the Judge, Abdul Kafarati, said that the election of Mr. Oyinlola did not follow due process.
The judge said that Mr. Oyinlola could not have emerged as the nominee of the PDP in view of the fact that two courts of competent jurisdiction nullified the congress in which he was selected.
He said that the action of both the PDP and Mr. Oyinlola amounted to a criminal conduct which is liable to imprisonment.
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Mr. Kafarati held that Mr. Oyinlola cannot be recognized as the National Secretary of the PDP and should therefore vacate office immediately.
Counsel to Mr. Oyinlola, Toyose Oyekunle, in his reaction to the judgement said a notice of appeal and stay of execution had already been filed.
“The whole world saw the PDP National Convention held in Abuja where Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was elected National Secretary,” he said.
Speaking further Mr. Toyose said “The election was conducted in the open at the Eagle Square Abuja and one wonders how the court arrived at its decision that Prince Oyinlola was elected at the Zonal Congress held in Oshogbo, Osun State”.
He also said Mr. Oyinlola is not going to leave office since the judgement is now under appeal.
Mr. Oyinlola and other members of the PDP leadership, believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have been having a running battle with the National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, who has the support of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Tukur had announced on Wednesday that the crisis in the party leadership had been resolved by Mr. Jonathan although later actions proved otherwise.
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