Maina, the plaintiff and a self-proclaimed PDP chairman in Yobe State, had accused certain party stakeholders of secretly plotting to oust Damagum in violation of the party’s constitution.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday issued an order preventing the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from suspending its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
The court order was sequel to response to a suit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, who challenged the party’s plans to remove Damagum.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that a factional National Working Committee of PDP suspended Damagum and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspension came as the internal crisis of the party deepened following an earlier suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba on similar grounds by a faction loyal to Damagum.
In a new development, Ologunagba announced on Friday that Damagum and Anyanwu had been suspended.
But Justice Lifu ruled that Damagum should remain the party’s national chairman until the national convention scheduled for December 2025, Channels Television reports.
The Judge directed that no individual other than Damagum should be recognised as the PDP national chairman, stressing that only a national convention can elect national officers as per Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution.
Maina, the plaintiff and a self-proclaimed PDP chairman in Yobe State, had accused certain party stakeholders of secretly plotting to oust Damagum in violation of the party’s constitution.
He claimed that former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Phillip Salawu, was being considered as Damagum’s replacement.
In the suit, Maina who was represented by his lawyer, Joshua Musa (SAN), sought a court order invoking Articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution to prevent the attempt to remove Damagum.
He further argued that the party’s leadership position rotates between the northern and southern regions, as outlined in the constitution, and not through other means.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu said that Damagum can only be replaced through a national convention or by a court order, emphasising that any attempt to end the Northern region's current tenure prematurely would violate the party’s constitution.
The Judge dismissed the defendants' objections, which claimed that Maina lacked standing to bring the suit and that the court had no jurisdiction.
Justice Lifu also ruled that Maina had a valid interest in protecting the PDP constitution, particularly as a member of the northern region, which could be adversely affected by the alleged move.
He declared that the PDP NEC and BoT are bound by the party’s constitution, affirming that Damagum’s position as national chairman can only be altered by the national convention.
He further stated that Damagum, appointed from the Northern region, where former national chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, also hailed from, is entitled to complete the remaining term of the national chairmanship of the party.
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