Appeal court dismisses Jigawa PDP gov candidate suit against Party, fines him N500,000

By: Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse

The court of appeal, Kano judicial division has dismissed the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate( 2015 and 2019) in Jigawa state Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim faction challenging the legitimacy of the ward and local government congresses of the party in the state.

The appeal court judgement had affirmed the earlier verdict by the Jigawa State High court in Dutse presided over by Justice Musa Ubale Taura.

The lower court judge Justice Musa Ubale in his judgement had ruled that the suit is an intra party affair, as such the action is non justiciable adding that courts lack jurisdiction to entertain the suit”.

Delivering the judgement via zoom, justice H A O Abiru said the matter is purely intra-party affair hence the court has no jurisdiction over it.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the Appellants’ appeal and awarded N500, 000. 00 cost to be paid to the Respondents (PDP and ors).

The case was between Alhaji Muktar Ibrahim Gagarawa and 2 others (for themselves as leaders of the Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim led faction of the PDP Jigawa State Chapter) Vs Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Executive Council (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, INEC, Commissioner of police, DSS and NSCDC.

Speaking Online one of the defendants team counsel, Barrister Alhaji Garba Wakil expressed satisfaction with the court judgement,
“we are very happy and the decision of the lower court is the true position of the law, it is a victory to our side”.

The appellant’s counsel Barrister Nasarawa Mu’azzim expressed dissatisfaction with the court verdict, “We are studying the judgement, looking for the possibility of an appeal at supreme Court.

Barrister Mu’azzim said “The party (PDP) violated it’s Constitution, why was the constitution made”. If the party will violate what it made what does that mean?