PDP  Pre-selection Matter From Shendam And Riyom LGAs Hearing Stalled

Manasseh Dandam

A Plateau State High Court in Jos Division presided over by Honourable Justice Shashet has adjourned to the 13th Day of January 2025 for a hearing in the suit challenging Comr.Kemi Nshe and Sati Bature Shuwa, all of the Peoples Democratic Part, PDP preselection matter.

Hon.Kim Titus Danja and Yilmiap Kenneth Dennis are at the court to challenge the delegates primaries held in Shendam  and Riyom LGAs respectively.

However, when the matter came up for hearing counsel to the second respondent/ objector,E.R.Goler told the court that he had reasons to inform the court that the lead counsel Mr Pwasco was just served with the counter affidavit motion and they needed time to respond to it .

R.T.Yilwatda the claimant counsel says , the suit is slated for hearing, Lord we have filed and exchanged all briefs and they’re ready to proceed.

The first defendant counsel Mr S.P.Zhattau in response told the court that he was ready to proceed with the hearing .

Goler said, since they were served on Monday,6th January 2025 they are still within time to respond to the Claimant’s preliminary objections raised including the counter affidavit motion .

The PLASIEC guardlines for 2024 LGC election on item number three (3)” Conduct of party primaries including resolution of disputes arising from same and observation of same by the commission as determined by the commission.( See section 84 of the electoral act, 2022).”

Let’s see what section 84 is saying.

“Section 84(12)(13) of the Electoral Act 2022. Political appointees are not eligible as voting delegate or aspirant.(12) No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or Congress of any political party for the nomination of candidates for any election.

Where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this act in the conduct of its primaries, it’s candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.”

Even though these provisions do not provide the timing, which is left to be decided by the political party in concern. Now can we check the PDP Constitution?

Now, the PDP Constitution in section 47(5) which talks about the timing for the resignation of an aspirant says.

” Any officer elected into the executive committee of the party at any level may resign his or her office by giving thirty days notice in writing to the appropriate executive committee, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF VYING FOR AN ELECTIVE OFFICE which shall be effective within the period stipulated in the guidelines issued for such elective office by National executive committee of the party or the state executive committee in respect of local government elections.”

By these provisions, it means we should rely on the party guidelines from the state executive committee given to all aspirants who are contesting in this 2024 LGC election. Let’s see what the guidelines says too!!!

“ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATE.

All aspirants seeking election into the office of councilor of a ward or chairman of a local government council in PLATEAU STATE on the platform of the PDP must fulfill and satisfy the following conditions and/or requirements.

Aspirant shall:

A. Fulfill all the relevant requirements of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), the constitution of the People’s Democratic Party, and the provisions of these guidelines and all other laws relating to party primaries.

D. If he or she is a member of the executive committee of the party or is a political appointee at any level resign from such positions not later than thirty(30) days to the conduct of the election.”

As we all know party can only decide the guidelines for their primary elections and not the secondary elections. Therefore, the election mentioned above means the primary elections.

Furthermore, on the issue of the screening that took place on the 9th Aug. 2024.

The screening committee came out with a list of requirements for screening which was signed by the state legal adviser. The number four(4)item on the list says:

” Evidence of resignation from office, where applicable.”

I believe that the party will be fair to all its members and do the needful regarding the aspirants who failed to honour the party guidelines, the party constitution, and the new electoral act.

However, the sitting was stalled at the instant of the second respondence/objector who still had two more days to complete his filing process.