The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), preventing the party from removing its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Delivering the ruling on May 3, with court documents made available to the press on May 8, the court temporarily restrained the respondents from appointing, selecting, or nominating any individual to replace Damagum until the motion on notice is heard and determined. Justice Peter Lifu, who granted the interim order, adjourned further hearing to May 14.
The order was granted in response to a suit filed by Senator Umar Maina and Alhaji Zanna Gaddama, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024. The defendants in the suit included the PDP, its National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
However, Justice Lifu mandated the plaintiffs to provide an undertaking to compensate the respondents for damages if it is later discovered that the order should not have been granted or if the court was misled.
The move to remove Damagum came amid pressure for his removal ahead of the PDP National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on April 18. Members from the North Central zone pushed for his removal to enable the emergence of a substantive PDP National Chairman. They argued that the position should return to the zone to complete the tenure of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who was suspended as the party’s national chairman last year.
Among those purportedly seeking to replace Damagum is former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam. However, the PDP, during the NEC meeting, resolved to allow Damagum to remain in office. The National Working Committee of the party also expressed confidence in the embattled acting national chairman.
