The Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has issued an order barring Enemona Anyebe from presenting himself as the chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Justice Yahaya Adamu of High Court 5, Lokoja, passed the ruling on Tuesday in suit number HC/Okp/8/2024, which was filed by John Ojodale against the PDP and another party.
The court ruled that a fresh election should be held within 45 days to fill the vacancy for the chairmanship position, stating that Enemona Anyebe was not qualified to contest. Justice Adamu emphasized that Anyebe was not a candidate in the PDP Congress held on August 31, 2024, due to his alleged suspension from the party.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Hon. Muhammad Sani Gambo, the first runner-up in the August 31, 2024 PDP Congress in Kogi State, asserted that he remains the duly elected chairman of the party. Gambo expressed that he is the primary beneficiary of the ruling, which did not invalidate the election but clarified that Anyebe was ineligible to contest.
However, Gambo opposed the court’s directive for a new election within 45 days, stating that this order was not part of the plaintiff’s original suit and amounted to contempt. He argued that the case is currently before the Federal High Court and that he plans to appeal the part of the ruling concerning the fresh election.
“This was not part of the plaintiff’s originating summons, and we were not even party to the suit filed at the State High Court,” Gambo stated.
He also noted that he had not been declared the chairman because he was not joined in the suit. Gambo revealed that he has approached the Federal High Court in Lokoja, seeking a declaration that he is the rightful winner of the election.
Gambo called on his supporters and PDP members in the state to remain calm, assuring them that the Federal High Court would do the necessary justice and declare him the duly elected chairman of the Kogi State PDP.
