Katsina PDP crisis widens as Uli-led faction goes to court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Katsina state has taken a new dimension as the Lawal Uli led faction has gone to the federal high court in Katsina to seek an injunction restraining the newly inaugurated state chairman, Lawal Magaji, from parading himself as head of the party in the state. Briefing our reporter […]

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Katsina state has taken a new dimension as the Lawal Uli led faction has gone to the federal high court in Katsina to seek an injunction restraining the newly inaugurated state chairman, Lawal Magaji, from parading himself as head of the party in the state.

Briefing our reporter on the phone, Barr. Mustapha Shittu Mahuta, the State Legal Adviser of the party, said, “We went to court for a declaration and injunction. We filed a motion ex parte seeking to restrain the Lado-faction chairman from further holding himself as state chairman.

“But the court directed that we should put them on notice, which we actually did. The court said it wants to hear from all the sides, so it adjourned to November 29 for the hearing of the motion on notice,” he said.

He said the section 47(6) of the PDP constitution cited by the National Working Committee (NWC) to appoint the new chairman was talking about where there was vacancy left by a member of an EXCO, saying in the Majigiri case there was no vacancy left as nothing precluded him from contesting for an elective position as a state party chairman.

• Advisory on non-essential trips to Abuja unauthorised, says Ghana
• ‘Kidnapper’ nabbed while buying food in Kwara

“Salisu Yusuf Majigiri is just contesting to be elected as member of House of Reps for Mashi/Dutsi constituency. He has not yet assumed office as a member of the House of Reps. So the constitution does not preclude him from contesting, being the chairman. But nevertheless, it was on moral ground that he transmitted a letter to the NWC, telling them that because he is contesting, he wants to step aside, so that the deputy chairman can act in his stead, pending the outcome of the election,” he said.

He added that it was based on that ground that the NWC transmitted a letter to the Hon. Lawal Uli to act, but surprisingly the same NWC, in less than a month, sent another letter of appointment to another person.

He said leaders were not supposed to be appointed by a party but elected, saying even if there was vacancy, it was the EXCO at the appropriate level that should appoint another person, not from a higher level.

Earlier, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has affirmed the Lado-led faction state chairman, Alhaji Lawal Magaji (Danbaci).

The new chairman was officially taken to office Sunday in company of the the governorship candidate, Lado Danmarke, three senatorial candidates, including the current Senator, Daura zone, Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita amongst many other flag-bearers and party leaders, including Dr Mustapha Inuwa, the Atiku campaign director in the state.

A letter of appointment issued to the new chairman, signed by the National Organizing Secretary of the party, Hon. Umar Nabature, indicated that the appointment approved by the National Executive Committee of the party, was pursuant to section 47(6) of the party constitution.

In a separate letter dated November 11, as obtained by Daily Trust, the National Organizing Secretary informed the Majiri-led faction chairman, Alhaji Lawal Uli, about the appointment of Danbaci as the substantive chairman and asked him to hand it over to him.

In their separate remarks during the ceremony, the governorship candidate and the three senatorial candidates stressed the need for unity in the party, saying the hope of the PDP at national level is in