Fresh Crisis Hits PDP As Court Asks Makarfi Not To Recognise S’west Chair

The Federal High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from barring the Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe-led South-West Zonal Executive Committee and the zone’s delegates from the December 9 National Convention of the party.

It also barred the party, its officers, and organs from allowing the Eddy Olafeso-led group to participate in the convention or submit any list as South-West delegates.


Olafeso is the South-West zonal chairman of the party recognised by the national leadership of the party.

Ogundipe, however, told journalists in Abuja on Friday, that non-compliance with the court order could affect the outcome of the December 9 national convention of the party.

He urged the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi to “uphold the rule of law because he (Makarfi) is also a product of the law.”

Makanjuola brought the court order to the national headquarters of the party in Abuja on Friday. The court sitting had earlier taken place on Wednesday.


Named in the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/18/2017 are: Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Chief Adepegba Otemolu, Lanre Orimoloye, Supo Ijabadeniyi and Femi Carena.

The defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Sen. Ben Obi, Eddy Olafeso, Wunmi Jenyo, Adeola Ogunrinde and Femi Adetola.

Others are Ojo Williams, Fasiu Bakenne, Philip Aivohji, Mrs. Oluwawumi Oshinroluke, Biliaminu Ogundele, Femi, Makinde, the Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Osogbo, Commissioner of Police, Ondo State, and the Department of State Services and State Security Service, Ondo State.

Specifically, the court, which was presided over by Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, restrained the Makarfi-led executives or their agents from “preventing the plaintiffs and other South-West delegates to the PDP national convention listed in the schedule attached to this originating summons.”


The court listed the beneficiaries of the order as Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju and Senator Buruji Kashamu, adding that they should not be barred from attending the national convection .

The judge also said that no disciplinary action should be taken against the plaintiffs “and other delegates of the party from the South-West Zone in order to prevent them from participating in the party’s national convention pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

Culled from ThePunch