APPEAL COURT AFFIRMS SHERIFF AS PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

ali2The crisis rocking the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has taken a new turn as the court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday affirmed Ali Modu-Sheriff as National Chairman of the party.

The appeal which was filed by the Ali Modu-sheriff led faction had prayed the court to put aside the judgment of the high court which had upheld the decision taken by the National Convention of the party to dissolve the leadership of Ali Modu-sheriff faction.

Two out of the three man-panel delivered judgment in favour of Ali Mode sheriff’s faction. The lead Judge, Justice B.A. Sanga and Justice AbubakarGummel set aside the judgment by the High Court and ordered that all decisions reached at the May 21, 2016 national convention of the party should be put aside and status quo should be maintained.

They said this was because the decisions were made in breach of the party’s constitution and disregard of the pending court case.

The judges held that there was no provision in the PDP for a care-taker committee, which Alhaji Ahmed Markafi was installed to lead during the Port Harcourt convention.

However, a dissenting judgment by the third judge, Justice Theresa Orji Abadua gave judgment in favour of the national executive of the party.

She said that the executive of the party held the May 21st election within its powers and hence decisions reached at the convention should be upheld.

In a reaction, counsel to the Markafi led faction of the PDP, Mr. OladejiOlamikoye told newsmen that his clients would study the judgment of the court and would take further steps.

“The Court of Appeal has discharged its constitutional duty. It has handed down a judgment which has addressed the issues submitted before it. Yes, it is a split decision of two to one.”

Also, AlhajiMarkarfitold his supporters that he would to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court as the Appeal Court was not the final destination of the case.

Similarly, Ekiti State Governor, AyodeleFayose rejected the court verdict, describing the judgment as a rape of democracy.

The Governor commended the minority judgment by Justice Theresa Orji Abadua.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has enjoined the Peoples Democratic Party PDP faithful not to be anxious over the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU & UDUAK AKPAN

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