The non-recognition of Makanjuola Ogundipe-led South-West executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by the National Caretaker Committee has been declared as illegal and unconstitutional.
The declaration was made at the executive emergency meeting held on Sunday.
In a statement it issued, the executive committee, said it was imperative that it drew the attention of the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee to its position on the decision reached at the convention held on Saturday.
While saying no other group could claim to be the executive committee of the party in the Southwest, it reiterated that based on the Federal High Court order in Suit no FHC/L/CS/605/2016, the Southwest zonal exécutive under the leadership of Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe as the national vice-chairman and Chief Pegba Otemolu as the Zonal Secretary stood authentic.
The statement reads: “The Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe-led Southwest PDP exco rose from its emergency meeting today, Sunday 13th August 2017 to draw the attention of Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of our great party and the convention decision of Saturday, 12th August, 2017, as it affects our Southwest zonal Exco as follows :
“(1) We believe in Chapter 1 (General provision) section 2 of our Party Constitution which confirms the Supremacy of our Party Constitution
“(2) We believe in Section 33 (2) of our Party Constitution confirming that the National Convention shall be the Suprême and Controlling authority of the Party.
“(3) More importantly, the SUPREMACY of any Party Constitution is SUBJECT to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as BOLDLY stated in Chapter 1 section 2 of our Party Constitution.
“(4) Chapter 1 (General Provision) Sections 1, 2, & 3 of the Constitution of the Fed. Republic of Nigeria states (a) The Fed. Republic of Nigeria SHALL NOT be governed NOR shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria. (b) If any other Law ( PDP convention Décision) is inconsistent with the provision of This Constitution ( the judicial decision), This Constitution SHALL PREVAIL. i.e the judicial decision in favour of the Southwest PDP Exco STANDS.
“(5) Having drawn your attention to the above CONTRADICTIONS, the Federal High Court Orders suit no FHC/L/CS/605/2016 confirming Section 47 (1) of our Party Constitution on a 4- year Tenure of office on the Southwest PDP Exco STANDS.
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“(6) For us in the Southwest zonal Exco of our great Party PDP and just like the National Caretaker Committee obtained judicial victory at the Suprême Court, our own judicial victory obtained via the Federal High Court suit no FHC/L/CS/605/2016 of 24th June 2016 is sacrosanct.
“(7) We are also aware of the fact the National Caretaker Committee is a product of the Rule of Law. Therefore, your décision at the 75th NEC meeting of Fri. 11th Aug. 2017 & the subsequent ratification at the Sat. 12th Aug. 2017 Convention NOT to recognize the< Ogundipe-led Exco was ILLEGAL and UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
“(8) Therefore, based on the Federal High Court order in Suit no FHC/L/CS/605/2016, nothing has changed and the Southwest zonal Exécutive under the leadership of Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe as the National Vice-Chairman and Chief Pegba Otemolu as the Zonal Secretary stands AUTHENTIC.
“(9) For the purpose of clarity, the INEC and the Inspector General of Police are well aware of the fact that Ogundipe-led Southwest PDP Exco STANDS AUTHENTIC
“(10) For now, nothing has changed and the Southwest zonal exécutive under the leadership of Chief Ogundipe as the National Vice-Chairman and Chief Pegba Otemolu as the zonal Secretary remains the AUTHENTIC.
“(11) For the avoidance of doubt, any other Southwest PDP zonal committee parading itself as the zonal committee should STOP immediately to prevent being charged for CONTEMPT OF COURT.”
