PDP disobeys court, holds congress

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State on Saturday conducted the congress to elects its officials, inspite of a court order restraining it from doing so.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on Friday restrained the party from conducting the congress.

The order of the court was sequel to a suit filed by nine local government chairmanship aspirants of the PDP.

As early as 9a.m., delegates for the convention begun to

troop into the party secretariat, venue of the congress.

Heavy presence of armed security personnel was observed within and outside the venue, and chieftains of the party, delegates and journalists were subjected to a thorough search before being allowed in.

The voting process proper kicked off at about 12.30 p.m. A former deputy national chairman, South-West, of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, was among the chieftains observing the process.

George challenged members to remain loyal to the party, adding: "we should not make Lagos PDP a theatre of war".

Other party bigwigs at the venue were Chief Dapo Sarumi, a former minister of communinations; Gen. Tajudeen Olarewaju (Rtd) and and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2011 elections, Dr Ade Dosunmu.

The local government chairmanship aspirants who filed the suit were Imam Akorede, Toyin Afolabi, Benjamin Akinsanya, Victor Olajide, Taofeek Dabiri, Remilekun Tiamiyu, Kabiru Adio Agbabiaka, Alhaji Idowu Akinsanya and Amos Alabi Fawole.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Liman restrained the defendants from conducting the congress and adjourned the substantive suit till March 20.

source: businessday