PDP welcomes court judgement sacking Dogara from office, says it’s victory for democracy
By Charly Agwam – Bauchi
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is happy with the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court Abuja division presided by His Lordship Honourable Justice F.D. Okorowo which
declared the seat of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, vacant, following his defection from PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Legal counsel to Bauchi PDP, Jibrin Jibrin in a statement shared with journalists on Sunday, said the judgement of the court has presented a good opportunity to the PDP to reclaim the seat through a bye-election to be conducted by INEC
“As a matter of fact, the Court through His Lordship’s sound reasoning, well considered analysis, findings and conclusions represents the correct position of the law as regards the facts and circumstances of Hon. Dogara’s action that constituted the suit in reference in the context of the clear provisions of Section 68 (1). (g) of the 1999 Constitution FRN (as amended).
“It is thus our firm belief that justice has been well served. It is equally a fact that the judgement which is coming on the heels of similar decisions of the Court as delivered by their Lordships’ Taiwo Taiwo and Inyang Ekwo have further espoused and developed the jurisprudential horizon on the issue in Nigeria.
“The most important thing about the judgement is that it is a victory for democracy and the rule of law. The declaration of the seat of Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the member representing Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency in Bauchi State vacant, presents a good opportunity to the PDP to reclaim its seat through a bye-election to be conducted by INEC,” the statement reads in part.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo, held that Dogara, having abandoned the political party that sponsored his election, ought to vacate his seat in line with the provisions of sections 68(1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Recall that Dogara was, in 2019, re-elected on the platform of the PDP to represent Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State at the National Assembly.
He, however, defected to the APC on July 24, 2020, after he submitted a resignation letter to the PDP Chairman of Bogoro ‘C’ Ward in the state.
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Meanwhile, Sunday’s disclosure that 12 aspirants and 19 Rivers APC leaders loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, unanimously dumped their aspirations and endorsed billionaire investor, Pastor Tonye Cole as consensus aspirant of that camp has suffered credibility crisis as one of the aspirants denies conceding to such a pact.
Tekena Iyagba, one of the 12 aspirants’ in a statement through his 2023 Governorship Campaign Organisation yesterday affirmed that he is, “Still in the governorship race under APC and did not at any point agreed both in writing nor verbally to a consensus as being circulated in a release signed by George Tolofari who claims to be Co-ordinator of the Progressives Aspirants Forum.
The Iyagba team’s statement signed by its Spokesperson, Deborah Agbalama, added, “To this end our governorship aspirant is still proceeding to canvass for votes at upcoming APC Governorship Primaries .
“We state that his ambition is borne out the conviction that it’s time to distinguish politics from governance and make Rivers an urbanised and industrialised haven for residents and prospective investors.
“We appreciate the support so far and those who have reached out to us to be a part of His campaign train, urging them not be dissuaded by these speculations.”
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