Appeal Court adjourns PDP convention’s suit indefinitely

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has adjourned indefinitely an appeal filed by two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the November 15 and 16 National Convention held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The PDP convention in Ibadan produced Tanimu Turaki as national chairman, while AbdulRahman Mohammed heads the other faction of the PDP.

The Mohammed-led faction had gotten judgement from the Federal High Court in Ibadan invalidating the outcome of the controversial convention.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in another suit filed by the Turaki faction held that the convention fulfilled the requirements of the PDP’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The two factions of the party filed different appeals at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan.

The Court of Appeal had on Friday directed the parties to initiate moves to amicably settle the dispute after receiving an application from the Turaki faction of withdrawal of its appeal.

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At the Wednesday proceedings, the three-member of Court of Appeal Justices, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, inquired how far the parties had gone in settlement of the matter amicably.

The PDP counsel, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) and Jimoh Mumini (SAN), informed the court that efforts are ongoing among the parties to settle the matter in principle.

The Mohammed faction’s counsel, Sunday Ameh (SAN), informed the court that he had discussed with his clients and they are amenable to settlement.

The counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), F. Ajiboye, also said the commission would like parties to settle their matters amicably.

The presiding judge, Justice Georgewill, thereafter, adjourned the matter indefinitely in view of the parties’ willingness to settle amicably.

The Star