Why Ali-Modu Sheriff Elected PDP Chairman- Counsel Replies Gulak

February 18, 2016

PRESS RELEASE BY EMEKA ETIABA (SAN), COUNSEL TO PDP

My attention has been drawn to claims made by Alhaji Ali Gulak who is
the Respondent in Appeal No. CA/A/24/2016 filed by the Peoples
Democratic Party and Chief Uche Secondus.

In the Appeal, the Appellants seek the setting aside of the Ruling of
the FCT High Court in Suit No. CV/153/15 and invariably the Judgment of
the same Court based on lack of jurisdiction.

Contrary to the insinuations made to the effect that no Stay of
Execution is pending at the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal on
Monday, 22/2/2016 will hear the Application for Stay of Execution in
Motion No. CA/A/24/MI/2016. This Motion came up on 11/02/2016 whereupon
the Court ordered Parties to file Written Addresses.

I seize this opportunity to debunk the lie that the Judgment of the
lower Court by any stretch of imagination declared Alhaji Ali Gulak the
National Chairman of the Party.

The Court only ordered that a member of the Party from the North East
including Alhaji Gulak be appointed National Chairman to complete the
tenure of former National Chairman, Alhaji Muazu who resigned. This
appointment was to be made by the Party’s NEC and NEC went ahead to
elect Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and not Alhaji Gulak.

On the argument that Chief Uche Secondus, who as the Deputy National
Chairman cannot preside over the NEC meeting that elected Senator Ali
Modu Sheriff by virtue of the Judgment of the FCT High Court, I state
that it is an issue only a Court of competent jurisdiction can resolve
and we await Alhaji Gulak Court processes.

Finally, because of the Appeal pending at the Court of Appeal, I will
not comment further as I may inadvertently be discussing matters that
are subjudice.

Thank you

Signed:

Emeka Etiaba (SAN)
Counsel to PDP