The New Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday filed a notice of appeal against the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court, which restrained it from using PDP’s logo and colours.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Evoh Chukwu, also restrained the Abubakar Baraje-led leadership of the group from parading themselves as the PDP national executive, while also recognising the Bamabga Tukur-led National Working Committee as the party’s authentic leadership.
The Tukur-led faction had asked the Abuja FHC to restrain the leaders of the New PDP from further parading themselves as the party’s elected executive officers, and from operating parallel national, state, local government area and ward offices.
The suit followed the break-up of the party during August 31 special national convention at the Eagle Square when the defendants – Baraje, Dr. Sam Jaja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar – staged a walk-out alongside seven governors, including Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
However, as the Tukur-led PDP is still basking in the euphoria of their victory at the Abuja FHC, and the reported marking of the building housing the national secretariat of the New PDP for demolition, the Baraje faction has shifted the legal battle to the Court of Appeal.
The New PDP legal team led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, and Robert Clarke, SAN, has filed the notice of appeal before Justice Chukwu, seeking an injunction and a stay of execution of the ruling which restrained them from parading as the PDP leadership.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the New PDP, Chukwuemeka Eze, explained that the decision to file the appeal was taken at an emergency meeting of the New PDP National Working Committee, following Baraje’s return from the 2013 pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.