Crisis: Baraje’s nPDP appeals court ruling, seeks stay of execution

The Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday filed a notice of appeal against last week’s ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja which recognised the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led faction as the authentic National Executive Committee and also restrained Baraje and his group from making use of PDP’s logo and colours.

This was just as the National leadership of the party disclosed that there were no plans to sanction aggrieved members of the Baraje-led faction even as it inaugurated a seven – member national Disciplinary Committee.

The notice of appeal was filed yesterday by a team  of lawyers led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Evoh Chukwu, who ruled against Baraje and his group last Friday.

Baraje and Tukur

A statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said, “We are also seeking an injunction and a stay of execution of Justice Chukwu’s ruling.

“The decision to file the appeal was taken at an emergency meeting of the New PDP National Working Committee, NWC, following return of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, from the 2013 pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken after the NWC carefully studied last Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court and after due consultations with our team of lawyers.

“We once more wish to reiterate that we remain convinced that we have a good case and are thus determined to ensure that Tukur and his cohorts are not allowed to hold sway as the leaders of our great party.

“Our teeming members and supporters should, therefore, entertain no fears whatsoever and should remain steadfast as we seek to legally establish our case and logically conclude our mission to rescue the PDP from anti-democratic forces so as to restore the noble vision of the party’s founding fathers.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday disclosed that there were no plans to sanction aggrieved members of the Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led factional PDP, just as it has inaugurated a seven-member national Disciplinary Committee.

Answering questions from newsmen after the inauguration of the National Disciplinary Committee, PDP National  Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said, “G7 will not face any disciplinary committee, no petition, no move to sanction them; we have held meetings for reconciliation, but we had some challenges, the doors of the party are still open for reconciliation, no more sanction for members of G7 as at today. We want peace and progress in the party, yet there must be trust, equity, fairness and justice.”

In the family of the Baraje led new PDP are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Babangida of Niger; Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto; Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers; Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano; and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa.