Fiery human rights lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, has taken a swipe at the Nigerian judiciary over what he described as its increasing interference in the internal affairs of political parties.
He warned that the courts are fast becoming tools in the hands of politicians.
In a statement posted on his social media platforms, the lawyer accused some judges of playing into the hands of powerful political actors, particularly in the ongoing crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“When an adult jumps up with the toy of a child, the adult should not complain when the child fiddles with his scrotum,” he wrote.
“Courts must desist and stay far off the murky waters of politics and leave politics for politicians. The age-long wisdom handed down by the Apex Court—that courts must never interfere in the internal affairs of a political party—is founded on adroit legal pedestal.
Expectedly, a High Court in Oyo (the stronghold of Seyi Makinde, who is the major backer of the Damagum faction) has given a counter order to my Lord Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja… In all of these, mother justice and the judiciary remain the ultimate casualties.”
Recall that the High Court sitting in Oyo State on Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, the state capital.
Justice A. L. Akintola, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday after hearing an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has faced months of internal wrangling and leadership disputes, with several members demanding a convention to elect new national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Voice of the People (VOP) previously reported that the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had taken a dramatic turn as a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, alongside five other top officials.
The development, which further exposes the widening cracks within the opposition party, is reportedly linked to the lingering power tussle involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other key figures in the PDP leadership.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the factional NWC, declared the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the new Acting National Chairman.
He stated, “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything, and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.”
Anyanwu further announced the suspension of other senior officials, citing indiscipline and alleged financial infractions.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.”
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