A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun state, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, has filed a legal action against his party before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/70/2024 filed by his lawyer, Anderson Asemota, Sowunmi is asking the court to compel the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from further acting in their capacities, following alleged violation of party’s constitution.
Damagum, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Nature (National Organising Secretary), Okechukwu Daniel (National Auditor), Ahmed Yayari (National Treasurer), Muhammed Kadade (National Youth Leader) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were named as co-defendants in the suit
Sowunmi, a former aide to Vice President Atiku Abubakar and spokesman to the PDP during the last general elections, is also asking the court to compel the Damagum- led NWC to hold the mandatory National Executive Meeting (NEC) of the party.
In the suit, he accused national leadership of the party of hampering its fortune in future elections by failing to hold the mandatory NEC meeting of the party to enable its members review the party’s activities, take critical decisions and plan for future elections.
The plaintiff argued further in the suit that since the meeting was last held on September 8, 2022 during the tenure of the sacked chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, the new leadership under Umar Damagum has allegedly refused to convene NEC meeting despite demands by concerned party members.
The plaintiff further stated that not only did the failure to hold NEC meeting violate the party’s constitution, it is inimical to the progress of the party and threatens its fortune and those of other members, who plan to contest future elections.
Sowunmi is further asking the court to among others, issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining Damagum and others, including their agents “from functioning or continuing to function or discharge the functions of their offices until they call for or cause to be called and held meeting of the NEC of the PDP in total fidelity and obeisance to the PDP constitution.”
