By Correspondent in Lokoja.
…Cites Multiple Court Judgements, Accuses Party of Illegality and Impunity
Hon. Mohammed Sanni Gambo has declared himself the duly elected Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, calling on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, the Nigerian Judiciary, and the general public to uphold justice and the rule of law in the ongoing leadership tussle rocking the state chapter of the party.
In a statement issued to journalists, Gambo said that his election as chairman during the August 31, 2024 Kogi PDP State Congress was free, fair, and legally uncontested, following a valid court order that barred his rival, Enemona Anyebe, from participating.
“By the judgment and order of a High Court sitting in Lokoja, delivered both before and after the congress, Enemona Anyebe was neither a participant nor a contestant in the election. The court described his participation as illegal, null, and void and even ordered his arrest for contempt,” Gambo stated.
According to him, the court, in suit number HC/OKP/54/2024 delivered on July 31, 2024, unequivocally barred Enemona Anyebe from purchasing nomination forms, presenting himself for screening, or participating in the PDP congress. That order, he emphasized, remains neither vacated nor appealed.
“Despite the subsisting order, Enemona flouted the court’s directive and presented himself for the congress in defiance of the judiciary. On February 18, 2025, Justice Yahaya Adamu further declared his participation unlawful and his purported declaration as PDP chairman null and void,” Gambo noted.
Gambo lamented that despite these binding legal decisions, the PDP has failed to swear him in as the rightful chairman, describing the situation as a travesty of justice and a threat to the integrity of the party.
“We cannot claim to be a party founded on justice and constitutionalism, yet allow blatant disregard for judicial pronouncements. This illegality must not stand,” he said.
He warned that the continued refusal of the PDP to honour the court verdicts risks rendering all actions taken by the state PDP structure null and void and could plunge the party into deeper internal crisis ahead of future elections.
“Another High Court judgment on June 25, 2025, dismissed a suit by Capt. Joe Agada challenging the process, for lack of jurisdiction. The prayer for a new election was not granted. The matter, as far as the law is concerned, has been settled,” he explained.
Gambo expressed concern that he is being victimized for lacking a political godfather, calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Attorney General of the Federation, and relevant legal institutions to intervene.
“I have no godfather, and that seems to be my only crime. But my rights must not be trampled upon. The PDP zoned the position to Kogi East. Am I not from Kogi East because I am from Bassa LGA? Why the exclusion and the gang-up?”
He urged the judiciary to enforce its rulings decisively to serve as a deterrent to others who might seek to undermine the rule of law.
“I call on the courts to take cognizance of the brazen defiance of their orders. When contempt goes unpunished, it emboldens others to treat the law with disdain. The Kogi PDP situation must be made a deterrent,” Gambo asserted.
He appealed to the national leadership of the PDP to allow justice to prevail and swear him in as the duly elected Chairman of the Kogi State PDP.
“That is the only lawful and honourable course of action,he said.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
