Nigeria: PDP Sues APC and Caretaker Chairman Buni, Demands His Removal as Yobe Governor

Mai Mala Buni

Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding the removal of Mai Mala Buni as Yobe State governor.

The PDP in a four-page originating summons filed at the court on Thursday by their lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, submitted that Buni violated Section 183 of the Constitution, when he accepted to serve as chairman of the caretaker committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite holding the position of an executive governor.

The opposition party also asked that the court make governor Buni appear before it and defend whether or not he ceased to be governor by accepting to be the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC.

The plaintiffs include Umar Damagum, PDP’s Yobe governorship candidate in the 2019 election, and his running mate, Baba Aji.

They, therefore, prayed the court for an order directing the Yobe chief judge or any other senior person next to the chief judge to immediately swear in Damagum and Aji as governor and deputy governor of the state, having emerged second in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

The suit by the PDP comes on the heels of the judgment of the supreme court, which affirmed the election victory of Rotimi Akeredolu as governor of Ondo state.

The apex court in its 4:3 judgment raised concerns over the competence of Buni to conduct congresses and nominate candidates.

While several stakeholders expressed concerns warning the party to immediately suspend the congresses and replace Buni, governors elected on the platform of the APC have asked the Buni-led caretaker committee to organise an elective national convention.

By Abel Ejikeme