The Federal High Court in Abuja has delayed hearing on a lawsuit brought by Otunba Segun Sowunmi, a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. Sowunmi is asking for an order that would instruct the party leadership to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The purpose of the meeting would be to present the activities of the party from the date of the last NEC meeting on September 8, 2022. The case has been adjourned until March 4, 2024, and is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/70/2024.
The defendants in the lawsuit are the PDP, its National Chairman Umar Illiya Damagun, National Secretary Sen Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Capt Umar Nature, National Auditor Okechukwu Daniel, National Treasurer Hon. Ahmed Mohammed Yayari, Youth Leader Mohammed Suleimane Kadade (for themselves as officers of and on behalf of the NEC/National Working Committee of the PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During Thursday’s session, the plaintiff’s counsel, Anderson Asemota, informed the court of difficulties serving the 2nd to 7th defendants in the case. According to the plaintiff, they were unable to serve them despite their efforts, while the 1st and 8th defendants (PDP and INEC) were successfully served. Asemota filed a motion seeking substituted service for the unserved defendants.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon granted the plaintiff’s request for substituted service and set the next hearing for March 4.
Sowunmi is requesting that the court compel the 1st to 7th defendants to convene an NEC meeting of the PDP to present proposed election guidelines and procedures for selecting candidates. Additionally, they seek an injunction against the 2nd to 8th defendants from performing their duties until a NEC meeting is held in compliance with the party’s constitution.
The plaintiff argues that as the party’s spokesperson during the last election, he is obligated under the amended 2017 PDP constitution to file the suit to uphold the party’s objectives and ensure adherence to Article 7 of the constitution by members and national officers.
Sowunmi is also asking the court to declare that the defendants are obligated to call a PDP NEC meeting to present proposed guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections to the party offices at all levels and procedures for selecting party candidates for elective offices to the NEC members.
In an affidavit in support of the suit, the plaintiff stated that the last NEC meeting of the party was convened by the sacked National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorcha Ayu, on September 8, 2022.