A Katsina State High Court has fixed Nov. 29 for ruling on whether it has jurisdiction to entertain a suit filed by the Dr Mustapha Inuwa-led faction of PDP on the party’s congresses conducted in the state.
During the proceedings, the Plaintiff’s Counsel, Mustapha Shitu Mahuta, argued that it was wrong for the party to conduct congresses and prevent some members from participating.
According to him, the congresses at ward, local government and state levels were conducted against all democratic tenets and the party’s constitution.
He, therefore, urged the court to declare the congresses null and void and order fresh and genuine congresses to provide a level-playing field to all members, as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
However, the Defendant’s Counsel, Mr Isaac Nwachukwu, told the court that congresses were the party’s internal affairs and, as such, the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Nwachukwu, who cited Sec. 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended and other authorities to support his argument, therefore, urged the court to strike out the case for lack of jurisdiction.
After listening to the submissions by counsels to the two parties, the Judge, Justice Abbas Bawale, adjourned the case till Nov. 29 for ruling on the issue of preliminary objection.
