The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the Peoples Democratic Party from removing its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The ruling, delivered on May 3 and made public on May 8, prohibits the respondents temporarily from appointing or nominating a replacement for Damagum until the motion on notice is heard and determined. Justice Peter Lifu granted the interim order and scheduled further hearing for May 14. This restraining order was granted in response to a suit filed by Senator Umar Maina and Alhaji Zanna Gaddama, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024.
The suit’s defendants include the PDP, its National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The judge instructed the plaintiffs to provide a new undertaking to compensate the respondents for damages if the court determines that the order should not have been granted or if the court was misled.
Pressure mounted for Damagum’s removal ahead of the PDP National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on April 18. Members from the North Central zone called for his removal, arguing that the position should return to the zone to complete the tenure of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who was suspended as national chairman last year. Former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam is among those vying to replace Damagum. Despite this, the NEC decided to retain Damagum in office, and the NWC passed a vote of confidence in him.
