Court throws out case against PDP congresses in Katsina

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A complaint brought by 7,095 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates contesting the actions of the party’s state congresses was dismissed by a Katsina High Court on Friday.

ZINGTIE recalls that a group led by Dr. Mustapha Inuwa had sued the court, claiming that the exercise’s behaviour had denied certain members equal opportunities at the congresses.

Mustapha Shitu-Mahuta, the plaintiffs’ attorney, had previously told the court that the party’s purported congresses were unfair since some members were not allowed to attend.

According to Shitu-Mahuta, the party constitution and democratic principles were violated by the ward, local, and state congresses.

In light of this, the lawyer requested the court to declare the congresses invalid and to call for new, legitimate congresses that would give all members the same opportunities as stipulated in the party’s constitution.

Isaac Nwachukwu, the defence attorney, informed the court that congresses were party internal matters.

He requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction, arguing that it lacks the authority to consider the issue.

Justice Abbas Bawale ruled in his ruling on Friday that the court lacked jurisdiction to consider the case since it concerned the party’s internal affairs.

According to him, the court can only consider cases that come up in primary elections—not at congresses, where party officials are chosen to manage its operations.

“I have no option than to strike out the case for lack of jurisdiction,” Bawale remarked, adding that the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court shared that stance.

However, he stated that the plaintiffs have ninety days to file an appeal.

Mustapha Shitu-Mahuta, the plaintiffs’ attorney, responded to the decision by stating that they will appeal to the Court of Appeal.

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