By Valentine Amanze (Online Editor)
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in the 2015 governorship poll in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has hailed the Supreme Court verdict that authenticated Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic leader of the PDP.
Ihedioha, in his reaction, described the Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Supreme Court ruling as a victory and triumph for democracy.
His words: “This is a victory for and triumph of democracy. It is a celebration of the enthronement of light over forces of darkness. Long live Nigeria.”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Makarfi as the authentic chairman of the PDP, ruling that the May 21, 2016 national convention of the party rightly and constitutionally removed Ali Modu Sheriff as the party’s national chairman.
A five-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in its judgment reinstated Makarfi, who was earlier sacked by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, as Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee.
It maintained that the national convention acted rightly and not in breach of any aspect of the PDP’s constitution by setting up the the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.
Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who read the lead judgment, held that contrary to the majority judgment of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, the suit filed by Makarfi faction before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt was not an abuse of court.
The lead judgment by Justice Rhodes-Vivour was unanimously agreed. Other members of the panel are, Justices Onnoghen, Tanko Muhammad, Kayode Ariwoola and Dattijo Muhammad.
