Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed a definite hearing for Monday on the case challenging the proposed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention, billed for November 15 and 16.

Justice James Omotosho assured the parties that he would do all within his powers to determine the suit before the end of this month, for them to know their fate.

The judge spoke following a complaint by a lawyer to the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), that the party was being held back by the status order earlier made by the court.

Justice Omotosho restated its order for parties in the suit seeking to stop the November convention of the PDP to maintain the status quo.

He cautioned that no party should take any step that could render the decision of his court nugatory.

Omotosho warned that he would not hesitate to make consequential orders against any party that resorts to self-help.

Following an application by Uche that the suit be promptly heard and determined, the judge said no party would be allowed to deploy dilatory tactics to derail his determination to hear the case expeditiously.

He said: “You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit is filed in respect of any matter and parties have been served with processes, it is the law that no party should take any step in respect of such suit.

“The court must not be overreached, and where such is done, the court has power to issue a consequential order, nullifying such an act. We all know the law, and please, let us respect the law. It is in our collective interest.

“In the instant case, I can assure you that the court decision will be made between now and the end of October.

“On the day of the judgment, parties will be given copies of the judgment.

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“I type my own judgments by myself, so there will be no issue of any delay,” Justice Omotosho said.

The judge subsequently adjourned till Monday for a definite hearing in the suit, upon confirmation by lawyers to the parties that all necessary documents have been filed.

He directed that the documents so filed must be exchanged by all parties at most by today to enable him to hear the suit on the scheduled date.

At yesterday’s proceedings, PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), insisted that he was the lawyer for the PDP, while Uche said he was yet to be debriefed by the party.

In view of the development, Justice Omotosho ordered both lawyers to file the necessary documents to enable him to determine the proper lawyer for the PDP.

The plaintiffs in the suit are Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia chairman) and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South).

Listed as defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; National Working Committee(NWC), National Executive Committee(NEC), National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Fintiri: PDP bigger than every individual

Chairman of the PDP Convention Organising Committee and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said in Ibadan yesterday that the PDP remains unmoved by the gale of defections rocking it.

Fintiri boasted that as an institution, the PDP was stronger than any individual.

He spoke shortly after leading top party leaders to inspect the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, venue of the convention and the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan.

The officials included host Governor Seyi Makinde; Deputy Chairman of the party Taminu Turaki (SAN), and Convention Secretary Ben Obi

Fintiri, who said the party is fully prepared for the convention, added that the PDP is more than determined to reclaim power in 2027.

He thanked Governor Makinde for his support. ‎

The convention committee chairman said: “We are fully ready and prepared for the convention coming on the 15th and 16th of November.

“We are here to have an on-the-spot assessment of the venue for the convention in Ibadan. And the stadium is where we are going to use as the convention ground.

“What I have seen is quite impressive and excellent. What is remaining is for us to dot the i’s and cross the T’s. And I think we are good to go.”

On the gale of defections hitting the PDP, he said, “I think we are still very strong. PDP is an institution. It is not about individuals. So, individuals leave. The PDP remains. And we are still a very formidable party. Fully prepared and ready for 2027.

“The PDP is not built around individuals. It is an institution with deep roots and strong values. People may leave, but the party remains. We’re still very formidable, and our eyes are on the bigger goal — 2027. “What we’re doing here is beyond 2025. We’re setting the tone for a renewed PDP, one that Nigerians can trust again.”

The governor assured that the upcoming convention would consolidate internal reforms and usher in a leadership capable of repositioning the PDP for national relevance.

Bayelsa Senator defects to APC, LG chairmen dump PDP

The Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Kombenwei Benson and all the eight Local Government Chairmen in the state yesterday announced their formal resignation from the PDP.

Benson conveyed his decision in a letter to Senate President Godwill Akpabio, while the council chairmen announced their decision at a news conference in Yenagoa.

Unlike the Senator who would move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the council chiefs stated that they were awaiting Governor Douye Diri’s next move..

Diri exited the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) on Wednesday but did not make public the party he would pitch his tent with. But speculations are rife that he would toe the path of his Enugu State counter, Peter Mbah, who moved to the ruling APC on Tuesday.

In his letter to Senate President Akpabio, Benson said his loss of ‘’ hope in the capacity of the PDP to play the role of a political party,’’ informed his decision to abandon the opposition party.

He said: ‘In coming to this decision, I have taken a deep look at the protracted leadership crisis and the division that has resulted from the competition for power within the PDP, especially at the national level.

I have lost hope in the capacity of the PDP to play the role of a political party.

“I am, therefore, left with no option but to resign my membership of the PDP and move to the All Progressive Congress.’’

The Senator said he was happy with the ‘’uncommon transformer and President of the Senate, who has provided uncommon love, kindness and leadership in the Senate.”

Also yesterday, the eight council chairmen in Bayelsa, who backed Diri’s resignation from the PDP, thanked Bayelsa residents for their support for the ‘’prosperity government’’ of the governor.

“We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to serve you for the past one and a half years,’’ they said at the news conference addressed by Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Lelei Isaac.

Isaac said: ‘’We were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, and today, we are aware that our leader, the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, formally resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party.

”As chairmen we support the decision of our governor, we stand with him and consequently, we hereby resign our membership of the PDP.”

Other chairmen at the news conference were David Alagoa(Nembe), Target Segibo(Southern Ijaw), Bulodisiye Ndiwari (Yenagoa), Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor) and Golden Jeremiah(Ogbia).

Alice Tangi, chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area and Lucky Febo of Brass LGA were absent.

State PDP accepts Diri’s resignation

The PDP in the state said it had formally accepted the resignation of Diri.

It expressed gratitude to him for his leadership and prayed for his success in ‘’future pursuits.”

The party, according to a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ebiye Ogoli, said Diri’s resignation letter was accepted at an emergency meeting in Yenagoa. The letter was addressed to the Kolga Ward 6 chairman of the PDP and copied to the State Working Committee (SWC).

Ogoli’s statement reads: “While recognising the governor’s decision, the PDP reaffirmed its commitment to the party’s vision, goals, and objectives, assuring members of continued loyalty and dedication. They emphasised that all party structures within the Bayelsa State chapter remain solid and unified.

“The party also extended their best wishes to Governor Diri, praying for success in his future pursuits.”

The letter listed the state chairman, Solomon Agwana; Deputy Chairman Ben Odon; Secretary, Gesiye Isowo; Treasurer Luke Demeoru; Vice Chairman (Central) Wisdom Nathan; and Organising Secretary Indutimi Opurubelebo as those who attended the emergency meeting.