Makurdi High Court Restrains PDP, INEC From Expelling Governor Ortom

A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, the state Capital in North Central Nigeria has issued an order of interim injunction, restraining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its National Working Committee, NWC, National Executive Committee, NEC, or its National Officers (elected or appointed) from expelling the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

Justice A.I Ityonyiman issued the order on following a Suit with number MHC/46/2023 which was brought before the court on Wednesday, February 16th, 2023 by the Governor, barring any unforeseen circumstances as the feud between the G-5 Governors and the national leadership of the party persist.

The suit which has Governor Ortom as the Plaintiff/Applicant puts the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as first and second Defendant/ Respondents respectively.

The court upon hearing the Affidavit of the Governor’s appointee, Hon. Abraham Kwaghngu, Politician, Nigerian Citizen of Governor’s Office, Benue State Government House, Makurdi, Benue State, sworn to and filed at the High Court Registry, Makurdi on 15th February, 2023 made the restraining order.

“That the 1st Defendant/Respondent either by itself or its National Working Committee and/or its National Executive Council and/or its National officers (elected or appointed) and/or its North- Central Zonal Executive Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Benue State Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Guma Local Government Area Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Nzorov Council Ward Officers (elected or appointed) or any of its other organs or officials (anyhow so called) from expelling, suspending or levying any other punishment on the Plaintiff/Applicant pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An interim order of injunction is also made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called from receiving and/or acting upon any communication made by the 1st Defendant/Respondent seeking to disqualify from contesting or seeking not to be placed on the ballot paper the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant as the 1st Defendant’s candidate for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2023 general election pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An order of interim injunction is made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called from refusing for whatever reason to place the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant on the ballot to contest the Benue North West Senatorial election slated for February 25th, 2023 or any other rescheduled date pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction”.

The matter has been slated for hearing on the 24th of February, 2023.

N.O