Federal High Court in Abuja suspends Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention.

Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi had been at loggerheads over the leadership of the party
The convention scheduled by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been suspended.



On Monday, August 15, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja suspended the party’s convention pending hearing on a motion of injunction filed before it by the national chairman of the party Ali Modu-Sheriff.

At the court sitting today, the judge over the matter Okon Abang after ruling on the legal representation for the party leadership said the national convention must not hold until the court takes its decision on the injunction.

Abang was ready to adjourn ruling on an application filed by Makarfi and six other when he was reminded by sheriff’s counsel that the convention was slated for Wednesday, August 17.

Taken aback by the reminder Abang said the court’s decision to suspend the party’s national convention serves as a deterrent for the party’s excesses.

He also cautioned politicians and lawyers to guard Nigeria’s democracy.

Abang said: “Lawyers and politicians must ensure that the hard earned democracy is protected.”

“The court is here to ensure that there is no anarchy. Therefore in the exercise of my disciplinary jurisdiction, as stated by the Supreme Court and to maintain the dignity of the court.

“An order is hereby made in the interim to suspend the august 17 convention pending the determination of the application filed on July 20,” Abang said.

Modu-Sheriff had on Wednesday, July 20 filed an injunction against the planned Makarfi-led convention.

However, irrespective of Sheriff’s suit before the court, the Makarfi faction has said it will go ahead with the convention.

The faction also went ahead to release a full list of the convention committee and sub-committee members.