The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed Feb. 8 to hear a suit challenging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting within the constitutionally stipulated period.
A PDP governorship aspirant in Ogun during the 2023 general elections, Mr. Segun Sowunmi, filed the suit marked (FHC/ABJ/CS/T024) at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Sowunmi listed the PDP, Acting National Chairman, Mr. Iliya Damagum, and the National Secretary, Mr. Samuel Anyanwu, as respondents. Other respondents are the National Organising Secretary, Mr. Umar Bature, National Auditor, Mr. Okechukwu Daniel, National Treasurer, Mr. Ahmed Yayari, National Youth Leader, Mr. Muhammed Kadade, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When the matter was called, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Anderson Asemota, told the court that the matter was coming up for the first time. Asemota said that he had served the 1st and 8th respondents (the PDP and INEC) with court processes. However, he had yet to serve the 2nd to 7th respondents, as he had attempted to serve them to no avail.
“My lord, it is based on this that I have filed a motion for substituted service, unfortunately, it is not in the records of the court. In view of this, we shall be asking for a short date to enable us to take our motion for substituted service,” Asemota submitted.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon asked the counsel to make another attempt at serving the respondents personally and give a report of service on the next adjourned date. She adjourned the matter until Feb. 8 for a report of service or for the plaintiff to present his argument on the motion for substituted service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sowunmi, through Asemota, accused the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) of failing in their responsibility of being accountable to members of the party. He said this was based on the grounds that more than a year had passed since the last NEC meeting was held, yet the party leadership had refused to conduct mandatory quarterly meetings since the last elections.
The plaintiff, in his originating summons, stated that the NEC meeting was an important component of the party structure as it afforded members the opportunity to present quarterly reports on financial matters, including income and expenditures. However, since the presidential and national assembly elections of 2023, as well as the gubernatorial elections, there has been no such report.
He contended that refusing to hold the NEC meeting violated the party’s constitution. He claimed that attempts by him to appeal to party officials to convene a NEC meeting were disregarded despite the pending elections in Ondo and Edo, which required adequate preparation and planning.
He posed some questions for the court to interpret as part of efforts to support his suit. He further prayed that should the questions posed for determination be resolved in his favour, the court should grant all the reliefs he was seeking.
He, therefore, prayed the court to make an order compelling the party’s officials to convene the NEC meeting and a restraining order preventing the party and INEC from further delay.
NAN
