Katsina High Court Dismisses PDP Aspirants’ Case on Party Congresses

A High Court sitting in Katsina, on Friday, dismissed a case filed by 7,095 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants challenging the conduct of the party’s congresses in the state.

The case, filed by a faction led by Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, alleged that the congresses denied some party members a level playing ground. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mustapha Shitu-Mahuta, argued that the ward, local government, and state-level congresses violated democratic principles and the PDP constitution.

He urged the court to nullify the congresses and order fresh, fair elections.

However, the defence counsel, Isaac Nwachukwu, countered that the congresses were internal party affairs, over which the court lacked jurisdiction. He urged the court to dismiss the case on this basis.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Abbas Bawale ruled that the court indeed had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter, as it pertained to internal party administration.

He explained that courts could only intervene in issues arising from primary elections, not congresses that elect party leaders.

“This position aligns with the rulings of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

Therefore, I have no option but to strike out the case for lack of jurisdiction,” Justice Bawale stated. He further noted that the plaintiffs had the right to appeal within 90 days.

Reacting to the ruling, Shitu-Mahuta disclosed that the plaintiffs would appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal.