PDP Crisis: Oyinlola, Tukur Takes Battle to INEC

The struggle for control of the soul of crisis-ridden PDP continued unabated today as the reinstated national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who was on Monday slammed with indefinite suspension has written to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) of the judgment of the Court of Appeal ordering his reinstatement and his subsequent resumption of duties as the national scribe of the party. The former governor of Osun had in the same vein written the PDP.


But in a counter move, the PDP said it had also written INEC informing it of the suspension of Oyinlola and three others from the party.

Justice Joseph Tor of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division had last  Wednesday pronounced that Prince Oyinlola who was removed from office by a judgment of Justice Abdul Kafarati was duly elected as the national scribe of the party.  The party’s National Working Committee, (NWC) however  imposed an indefinite suspension order on Oyinlola, factional chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, former deputy national chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja and north-west chairman, Ibrahim Kazaure.

The former Osun state governor in his letter to INEC dated November 11, 2013 with reference number PDP/NS/56 told the electoral body of his reinstatement as the national secretary of the party by the judgment of Justice Joseph Tor of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division. He further disclosed that based on the court ruling, he is henceforth ”expected to sign all official correspondences emanating from the PDP national secretariat, to the Independent National Electoral Commission, in my capacity as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

The letter addressed to the Commission further reads: “I present to you my very warm and sincere compliments. As you may be aware, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division has nullified the January 11, 2013 judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja which removed me from office as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The directive of the court was implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which consequently struck out my name off its register and other documents, as the National Secretary of the PDP.

“Following the nullification of the above stated judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which is a superior court of competent jurisdiction, which also ruled that I was wrongfully removed from office as PDP National Secretary, this correspondence serves to inform you of my decision to continue to perform my duties as the validly elected National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party. Your records would reveal that I was validly elected into office as National Secretary at the national convention of PDP held on Saturday March 24, 2012.

“You are requested to kindly note this development and reflect it accordingly in your records, in compliance with the court judgement delivered on Wednesday November 06, 2013.

“A copy of the judgement is attached for your attention and further necessary action, please. Kindly note that in compliance with the constitution of the PDP, I am expected to sign all official correspondences emanating from the PDP national secretariat, to the Independent National Electoral Commission, in my capacity as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“While thanking you for your attention, please accept the assurances of my warmest regards and best wishes.”

In a desperate effort to frustrate Oyinlola’s moves, the PDP in a statement endorsed by its spokesman, Olisa Metuh also said it has written to INEC to inform it of the suspension of the four members of the factional group.The statement reads in part:

“The National Working Committee, in a letter dated November 12, 2013 and signed by the National Chairman, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Tukur, informed INEC  of the suspension of the above mentioned individuals  on Monday, November 11, 2013 for engaging in anti-party activities in violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution. The decision of the NWC was in exercise of its powers under section 57  (3) of the PDP constitution, 2012 (as amended) and in the overall interest of the Party and its members”.