By Beauty John, Lafia
The Nasarawa state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) interim chairman, Hon. Francis Orogu has slammed Justice Mustapha Ramat over court verdict that directed the dissolution of Wards and Local Government Congresses of the Party.
While briefing newsmen at his residence in Lafia today (Friday) the chairman asserted that the move for the annulment of the caretaker committee is intended to create chaos and distract the party.
The interim chairman claimed that the state caretaker committee is not deterred by the pronouncement of Justice Mustapha Ramat.
“The PDP has decided not only to challenge Justice Mustapha Ramat’s judgement legally, but also politically resist any attempt to distract our attention on the right trajectory,” he said.
However, Orogu explained that the party fully respects judiciary and all judgements, irrespective of where the pendulum swings.
“But we are concerned about individual behavior, we also hope that those whose responsibility is to protect the sanctity and respect of the judiciary should be focused”.
Hon. Orogu claimed that the document the Justice relied upon to grant his judgement are forged and should have been disregarded by the presiding Judge.
“It will interest members of the press and indeed our party faithful that Justice Mustapha Ramat deliberately ignored a clear case of forgery even when the authors of the genuine document swore an affidavit in his own court disowning the purported Appeal Panel Report he did not only relied upon to grant reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, but also gave judgement on issues that were not before his court”.
He added that “the Judge became a Father Christmas in his court for granting what was not even asked for in the case before him”.
He called on all party loyalists to remain calm and continue to support the party leadership.
“We call on our genuine and honest members not only to remain calm, but to be vigilant on the activities of the 5th colonists among us whom are well known by you all”.
The ruling by Justice Mustapha Ramat yesterday, 28th May, 2020 in the high court of justice Nasarawa state, located in Akwanga Local Government Area, directs that the caretaker committee of PDP Wards and Local Government congresses be annulled , following their refusal to abide by a court order, restraining the party from conducting congresses of March 7 and 22.
Earlier today, a group of PDP members barricaded the gates of the state secretariat office in Lafia, denying the interim party chairman and other officials access to the building and calling for the Chairman to step down, as his tenure is over.
Meanwhile, Orogu claimed that he was reinstated as a caretaker chairman of the party by the National Body after his tenure ended in April, 2020.
As of the time of writing this report, police personnel have arrived at the scene to disperse the angry mob and to calm the situation down.
