By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has stressed the need for political actors across political parties in the country especially aspirants to elective seats to be principled on issues rather than taking platforms of political parties mere tools of winning elections.
The party noted with delight the consistency, thoroughness, clarity and consistency with which a Federal High Court in Abuja handed down its verdict on cases touching on cross carpeting or defection, saying such cases could not have come at a more appropriate time than now when activities for the 2023 election are picking up.
The Bauchi state PDP chairman, Hamza Koshe Akuyam made these remarks after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Friday declared vacant the Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro federal constituency seat occupied by Hon. Yakubu Dogara following his defection from the opposition PDP to the ruling APC in 2019 shortly after winning the polls.
It could be recalled that the Bauchi PDP and its Legal team led by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq as plaintiffs in the matter headed by learned Senior Counsel Chief Chris Uche, SAN had challenged in the Federal High Court, Abuja the defection of Hon. Yakubu Dogara from PDP to APC after winning the Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro federal constituency seat in the 2019 general elections.
Akuyam said, “As a matter of fact, the Court through His Lordship’s sound reasoning, well considered analysis, findings and conclusions represents the correct position of the law as regards the facts and circumstances of Hon. Dogara’s action that constituted the suit in reference in the context of the clear provisions of Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution FRN (as amended)”.
He further stated, “It is thus our firm belief that justice has been well served. It is equally a fact that the judgement which is coming on the heels of similar decisions of the Court as delivered by their Lordships’ Taiwo Taiwo and Inyang Ekwo have further espoused and developed the jurisprudential horizon on the issue in Nigeria”.
According to him, the judgement delivered Friday at the Federal High Court Abuja division presided by His Lordship Honourable Justice F.D. Okorowo, upheld the argument of the plaintiffs and granted the clients a declaration of the seat of Hon. Yakuru Dogara as the member representing Dass. Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency in Bauchi State vacant.
Alhaji Hamza Akuyam noted that the judgment has presented a good opportunity to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to reclaim its seat through a bye-election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his support and encouragement, as well as the leadership and teeming members of the PDP at all levels for their faith in the judicial system as well as sustained motivation throughout the course of the proceedings that resulted in the great judgement.
