Nigeria: 3 Feared Dead as PDP, AC Supporters Clash
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Vanguard (Lagos)
29 February 2008
Posted to the web 29 February 2008
Lagos
Supporters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the Action Congress (AC) yesterday clashed in Yola with about three persons feared dead.
Five other supporters of the AC were reported dead in a road crash while travelling from Madasali to Yola to solidarise with the party's governorship candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Bapetal.
However, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday defied separate court orders restraining it from conducting the state congresses in Oyo and Anambra.
It also came on a day the main actors in the April 12 governorship battle in the state - Admiral Nyako (PDP) and Alhaji Ibrahim Bapatel (AC) arrived the state capital, Yola to launch their campaigns for the election.
Supporters of the PDP allegedly laid ambush for those of AC close to Chonchi Bridge. The AC supporters were said to be on their way to a rally. Dangerous weapons were freely used in the ensuing confrontation.
Admiral Nyako, whose election as governor was upturned by the appeal Court on Tuesday also addressed a rally in the state capital, vowing to return as governor. The rally was attended by Chief Bode George, Senator Jubril Aminu and other other party bigwigs.
Parallel congresses of the party were also held in Edo and Enugu while a faction elected a new executive in defiance of an order of the party caucus in Bayelsa.
However, former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, who presided over the Ogun PDP congress lamented that the nullification of the victorious of the party by the courts in some states was a serious indictment on the party.
The Oyo PDP, led by Ibadan veteran politician defied a court order obtained by Saka Rashidi, Ajao Jide and Adeosu Adebiyi restraining the party and its chairmen in the state, Chief Dejo Afolabi, their agents, officers or any other person "howsoever described from conducting and participating in the forthcoming ward, local government and state congresses of the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party slated for 21, 25 and 28 of February, 2008 pending the determination of the motion on notice."
PDP defies court order, holds congress in Oyo
The party and some of its chieftains assembled yesterday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba and elected officers ahead of the forthcoming national convention.
Among those at the venue of the congress were Chief Adedibu, Governor Adebayo-Alao Akala, his deputy, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, former military Governor of Lagos State, Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd), Mr. Femi Lanlehin, and Mr. Hazeem Gbolarumi.
The leader of a five-member National Convention/Congress Monitoring team, Alhaji Salihu Zubair, denied knowledge of any court injunction restraining the party, saying "there were rumours that some people went to court to stop this congress. This committee is not aware of such court order as we were not served. The congress is legal and the outcome will be valid."
At the end of the programme, all the former executives of the party were returned.
They are the State Chairman, Chief Dejo Afolabi; Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustafa, Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yahaya Adetunji and the Legal Officer, Mr. Adeolu Adebayo.
Akala, described the aggrieved members who went to court as perpetual agitators and expired politicians who are bereft of ideas.
Adedibu described the congress as satisfactory, adding that due consultations were made before the party executives emerged.
...also in Anambra
The story was not different in Anambra, where a faction of the party loyal to Mr. Andy Uba conducted the state congress in spite of a state High Court order restraining the two factions in the party from holding the congress.
The interim order of injunction was granted one of the aspirants to the post of State Chairman of the party, Chief Ken Emeakayi, who alleged that the party was not following the guidelines of the PDP in the conduct of the ward, local and state congresses.
Part of the court order granted by Justice B. A Nwankwo and endorsed by a Senior Registrar I, L. C. Uyanwa reads: "That an interim order of injunction shall be and is hereby granted restraining the 1st to 9th defendants/respondents from organising and conducting state congress for purposes of electing state officers of PDP in Anambra State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit by the plaintiff/applicant."
Relevant Links
Joined in the suit are the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, National Secretary, Dr. Benard Eze, Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Chief Bode George, Anambra State Chairman of PDP, Chief Tony Nwoye, the State Congress Committee Chairman, Chief Frank Oramulu, PDP State Secretary, Dr. Tony Akachukwu, state chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Bright Nebedum and Chief Anayo Nebe, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, who heads a faction of the State Congress Committee.
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