Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja recently ruled that Umar Damagum is the legitimate National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This ruling came in response to a lawsuit (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024) brought by Senator Umar Maina against the PDP’s National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. Maina, claiming the title of PDP Chairman for Yobe State, sought legal intervention in what he described as clandestine efforts by some party members to unseat Damagum without following the proper constitutional protocols laid out by the PDP.
Maina alleged that a group within the party was secretly plotting to replace Damagum with Phillip Salawu, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, which he contended constituted a violation of the party’s constitution. He claimed to have sent two letters expressing his concerns about these secret meetings to the PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, which were acknowledged but went unaddressed. Consequently, Maina sought the court’s intervention to prevent the removal of Damagum, emphasizing the need to adhere to Articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP’s Constitution, which he argued dictate the conditions for such changes in leadership.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu thoroughly analyzed the PDP’s Constitution, concluding that any replacement of Damagum must occur either at a national convention of the party or through a court order. He affirmed that Damagum remains the recognized national chairman until the PDP’s scheduled national convention in December of the following year. Importantly, Justice Lifu emphasized that the PDP’s National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees are barred from attempting to oust Damagum from his position based on the current constitutional guidelines.
The ruling underscored the principle that officers in the PDP can only be elected at the national convention and that adherence to the constitutional framework is mandatory for all party members. Justice Lifu’s decision asserted that any attempt to prematurely terminate Damagum’s four-year tenure, designated to the northern region, would constitute a significant breach of the PDP’s Constitution, effectively threatening the integrity of the party’s governance structure.
Moreover, the judge rejected arguments from the defendants claiming that Maina lacked the standing to bring forth the lawsuit and that the court did not possess jurisdiction. Justice Lifu highlighted that Maina’s suit was rooted in the need to safeguard the PDP Constitution from violations and protect the interests of the northern zone concerning their representation in the party’s leadership. The court recognized Maina’s active membership status in the PDP as sufficient grounds for him to challenge the actions of party executives.
Ultimately, Justice Lifu firmly established that the current national leadership must comply with the PDP Constitution, asserting that Damagum, appointed from the northern region, has the right to complete the remaining tenure that should have been fulfilled by the former national chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, also from the north. By reinforcing the importance of constitutional adherence, the ruling not only confirmed Damagum’s position but also sent a clear message to party members on the necessity of following established protocols within the PDP’s governance framework.
