PDP Must Follow Rule Of Law, Reconcile Aggrieved Members Before Convention – Arise News

The Deputy National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okechukwu Osuoha, has urged the party leadership to strictly adhere to the rule of law and prioritise reconciliation among aggrieved members before proceeding with its planned national convention.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Osuoha clarified the legal controversies surrounding the court judgments that have affected preparations for the convention, originally slated for November 15 and 16.

“This matter arose when we were planning for the convention and some members of the party approached the Federal High Court in Yola over disagreements,” Osuoha explained. “The court was very clear in its judgment. It stated that the issue was not about the internal affairs of the party but about violations of extant laws and the rule of law. The court ordered that things must be done properly before the convention could hold.”

He noted that the court also issued an injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring any convention of the party until it complies with due process.

“The court went further to bar INEC from observing or participating in anything the party does until the necessary corrections are made in accordance with the law,” he said.

Osuoha expressed concern that instead of appealing the Federal High Court’s decision, another case was filed at a state high court — a move he described as “judicial rascality.”

“As a lawyer and Deputy National Legal Adviser of the PDP, I know that both the Federal High Court and the State High Court are courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” he stated. “Once a Federal High Court gives a judgment, the proper step for anyone dissatisfied is to approach the Court of Appeal — not to go to another court of the same level and seek a contrary order. Doing so ridicules our legal system. That’s why I called it judicial rascality.”

The PDP legal adviser stressed that the party must now focus on reconciliation and dialogue among all factions to ensure a lawful and credible convention.

“We have been practicing democracy, and democracy must be guided by the rule of law, not by sentiments or personal whims,” Osuoha said. “Our party constitution — particularly Section 2 — binds every member to obey its provisions. So, what we need now is reconciliation and negotiation among all aggrieved members so that we can have a competent and lawful convention.”

He warned that ignoring the court’s directive or rushing into a convention without following due process could lead to serious legal consequences for the party.

“If you go ahead and hold a convention without complying with the law, whatever you do can be challenged and nullified,” he cautioned. “Candidates who emerge from such a flawed process could lose their tickets if the court later rules against the party. That is why we must do things properly and in line with the law.”

Osuoha concluded by calling on party leaders to act responsibly and uphold democratic values in resolving internal disputes.

“We must respect the rule of law and our constitution,” he said. “Only then can we ensure stability, unity, and credibility within the PDP.”

Boluwatife Enome

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