Appeal Court to rule on Makarfi faction’s applications Tuesday

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An Abuja Division of the Appeal Court will on Tuesday rule on an application challenging the June 29 court judgement that recognised the Modu Sheriff-led faction as the genuine leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.

A panel of three judges led by Jummai Sankey, on Saturday, reserved the judgment after listening to applications by parties on the matter.

The court will also decide on an application by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party challenging a recent court ruling which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s flagbearer in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

Justice Okon Abang had on June 29 declared the emergence of Mr. Makarfi as the PDP chairman as a product of impunity and ordered INEC to deal only with the faction led by Mr. Sheriff in all elections involving the PDP.

In furtherance of the judgement, Mr. Abang declared the emergence of Eyotayo Jegede, from the faction led by Mr. Makarfi as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the November election of Ondo state, invalid.

He gave an order that INEC should recognise Mr. Ibrahim as the party’s flagbearer because he emerged winner in the primaries conducted by the faction led by Mr. Sheriff.

Although a High Court in Ondo State had given a counter-directive, INEC complied with the order by Mr. Abang.