Amaechi gets injunction against PDP

Amaechi, who was on Monday suspended by the NWC of the PDP, had gone to court to challenge his suspension from the ruling party. The governor, according to the PDP NWC, was suspended for his refusal to recall the suspended elected officials of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.

The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji, ordered the PDP to stop further actions on Governor Amaechi and maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court directed Amaechi to serve PDP the court order through publications in three national dailies.

The case has been adjoined till June 6 for further hearing. Counsel to Amaechi, Akin Olubumi, while reacting to the order praised the decision of the court, saying it was a right step in seeking redress to the injustice meted to the governor. He stated that the PDP as a party has no right to suspend a sitting governor from the party, arguing that it is only the National Executive Council, NEC, that has the right to suspend a governor from a party.


Jonathan meets Jang faction of NGF


Jang

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a closed door meeting with the Governor Jonah Jang faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, at the Presidential Villa. At the end of the meeting which lasted for some hours, Jang told State House Correspondents that there were no factions in the Forum.

The Plateau State governor said: “Well, let me tell you, there is no any factionalisation of the NGF, NGF is one and I am the chairman of the NGF.” “We have met with Mr. President with me leading a team of governors from the NGF to congratulate Mr. President and to consult with him on very serious national issues.”

He explained that the issue of security and what needed to be done in the coming two years to ensure the stability of democracy and development continues in the country topped the discussion with Jonathan. Other governors who accompanied Jang to the meeting with the President include Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Peter Obi ( Anambra); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Theodore Orji (Abia); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Godswill Akpabio(Akwa Ibom); Idris Wada (Kogi) ; Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); acting governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar and deputy governor of Benue State, Steve Lawani.

The NGF has been enmeshed in controversy since its election held last week Friday in Abuja as the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Jang are both laying claim to the NGF chairmanship seat.

While Amaechi was returned as the chairman of the NGF having polled 19 votes in the election as against Jang who polled 16 votes, some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors, led by Akpabio challenged the outcome of the election, alleging that it was rigged.

They therefore declared their support for Jang, saying that the Plateau State governor was the winner of the election. Last Thursday at the PDP Family dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih described as embarrassing the situation where two governors of the same party are laying claim to the chairmanship of the NGF.

“This is an embarrassing situation that must be urgently addressed, the leaders of the party will not tolerate a situation where they will preside over a divided house, we must be united, focus and dedicated. We need strong party and there is discipline and order