A FORMER governor of Osun State, Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola had his election as the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party nullified by an Abuja court on Friday.
It would be the second time in recent memory that the former military brass had his election to a major civilian position nullified by the courts, following the 2010 ruling that saw an end to his position as executive governor of Osun State.
In Friday’s ruling at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Abdul Kafarati said that the election of Mr. Oyinlola did not follow due process because, according to him, Oyinlola could not have emerged as the nominee of the PDP in view of the fact that two courts of competent jurisdiction nullified the congress in which he was selected.
In Justice Kafarati’s view, the action by the PDP and Mr. Oyinlola amounted to a criminal conduct which is liable to imprisonment.
The suit was filed by the Chairman of Ogun State PDP, Mr. Adebayo Dayo.
Friday’s verdict at the Abuja court is the latest episode in the battle of wits between two major factions of the PDP, pitting party chairman Bamanga Tukur against loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose support Oyinlola enjoys.
Mr. Tukur of course enjoys the support of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Reacting to Justice Kafarati’s verdict on Friday, Mr. Oyinlola’s counsel, Mr. Toyose Oyekunle said “The whole world saw the PDP National Convention held in Abuja where Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was elected National Secretary,” and he said a notice of appeal and stay of execution had already been filed.
In the meantime, the court ruled that Mr. Oyinlola cannot be recognized as the National Secretary of the PDP and should therefore vacate office immediately. It remains to be seen how the whole scenario will play out.