The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a five-member election committee to conduct the June 25 Edo State Governorship primary.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed is to serve as chairman, while lawmaker representing Mangu/bukkos Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren as secretary.
The three other members are Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Zamfara State Governor, Bello MutawallenMaradaun, and Senator representing Anambra Central, Sen. Lilian Uche Ekwunife.
This was made known in a statement signed by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) on Tuesday.
The PDP NWC also announced its 24-member Appeal Panel with the party Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus as Chairman.
Conflicting court orders emerged Tuesday on the conduct of the scheduled primary election of the PDP.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State had barred Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from contesting the party’s primary, in the suit filed by one of the party’s aspirant, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
In his filing, Ogbeide-Ihama said only aspirants who purchased the party’s nomination form and were screened within the stipulated time should be allowed to contest in the primary.
In his ruling on Monday, EA Obile, the judge, granted Ogbeide-Ihama’s request and gave an interim injunction ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the governor as an aspirant until the determination of the suit.
Justice Obile also fixed hearing on the suit for today Wednesday, June 24, 2020, while also agreeing to accelerated hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
Hours after, another High Court sitting in Epkoma restrained PDP from excluding the governor or any other aspirants from contesting the primary election.
In the suit brought before the high court in Edo, one Felix Irioh asked that Obaseki be allowed to contest the primary on the grounds that the PDP granted him a waiver.
It remains to be seen what next step the party will take in addressing of the issues and the court orders.
