An interim injunction has been ordered by a Benue State High Court, preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), or its National Officers (elected or appointed) from removing Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.
The order was made on Thursday by Judge A.I Itoyonyiman in response to a suit filed on Wednesday, February 16, 2023, with the case number MHC/46/2023.
Governor Ortom is the plaintiff/applicant in the complaint, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the first and second Defendants/ Respondents.
The court upon hearing the Affidavit of Hon. Abraham Kwaghngu, Politician, Nigerian Citizen of Governor’s Office, Benue State Government House, Makurdi, Benue State, sworn to and filed at the High Court Registry, Makurdi on February 15, 2023 made the following order:
“Restraining the 1″ defendant/respondent either by itself or its National Working Committee and/or it National Executive Council and/or its National officers (elected or appointed) and/or its North- Central Zonal Executive Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Benue State Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Guma Local Government Area Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Nzorov Council Ward Officers (elected or appointed) or any of its other organs or officials (anyhow so called) from expelling, suspending or levying any other punishment on the plaintiff/applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
“An interim order of injunction is also made restraining the 2nd defendant/respondent either by itself or any of its officials/officers/directors/departmental or other heads/any other officer by whatever name called from receiving and/or acting upon any communication made by the 1st defendant/respondent seeking to disqualify from contesting or seeking not to be placed on the ballot paper the name of the plaintiff/applicant as the 1st Defendant’s candidate for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2023 general election pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
“An order of interim injunction is made restraining the 2nd or defendant/respondent either by itself any of its officials/officers/directors/departmental or other heads/any other officer by whatever name called from refusing for whatever reason to place the name of the plaintiff/applicant on the ballot to contest the Benue North West Senatorial election slated for February 25th, 2023 or any other rescheduled dated pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.
Governor Ortom had earlier approached the court with the following demands:
“An Order of interim injunction restraining the 1st Defendant/Respondent either by itself, or its National Working Committee, and/or its National Executive Council, and/or its National Officers (elected or appointed), and/or its North-Central Zonal Executive Officers (elected or appointed), and/or its Benue State officers (elected or appointed), and/or its Nzorov Council Ward Officers (elected or appointed), or any of its other organs or officials (anyhow so called) from expelling, suspending or levying any other punishment on the Plaintiff/Applicant, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
“An Order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called, from receiving and or acting upon any communication made by the 1 Defendant/Respondent seeking to disqualify from contesting or seeking not to be placed on the ballot paper the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant as the 1st Defendant’s candidate for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
“An Order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called, from refusing for whatever reason to place the name of the plaintiff/applicant on the ballot, to contest the Benue North West Senatorial election, slated for 25th February, 2023 or any other rescheduled dated, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.
