The Federal High Court in Abuja has confirmed that Umar Damagum will remain the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until the party’s national convention. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the verdict on Friday, dismissing efforts to remove Damagum from his position without following the party’s constitutional procedures.
The case, with the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, was filed by Senator Umar Maina, the Yobe State Chairman of the PDP. Maina raised concerns about alleged secret meetings held by certain party members, who were reportedly trying to force Damagum out of office. He claimed that a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Phillip Salawu, was being positioned to replace Damagum.
Maina, through his legal representative, Joshua Musa (SAN), presented letters addressed to the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alerting him to these meetings. Despite receiving the letters, no action was taken by the party leadership to address the issue, according to Maina.
The plaintiff argued that these actions violated the party’s constitution, which outlines a clear process for leadership change. He cited articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP’s constitution to support his case, emphasizing that leadership positions, including the chairmanship, can only be rotated between the northern and southern regions of the country and must be decided through a national convention or court order.
After reviewing the case, Justice Lifu ruled that Damagum could not be removed from his position without a national convention or court directive. The judge stated that PDP officials are required to follow the party’s constitution strictly, and any attempt to oust Damagum without proper procedures would be unconstitutional.
“Only at the national convention of the party or by court order can the national chairman be replaced,” the judge noted, adding that the party’s members must act in accordance with its laws.
The court further dismissed the defendants’ claims that Maina lacked the legal right to file the case. Justice Lifu ruled that Maina, being a PDP member from the northern region, had a vested interest in ensuring that the constitutional rights of party members from his region were upheld.
Justice Lifu also pointed out that Damagum, who hails from the same northern region as the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, is entitled to complete the remaining term of the chairmanship. He emphasized that the four-year term allocated to the northern region could not be cut short without following proper procedures.
