The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a suit seeking the removal of Mai Mala Buni from office as Yobe governor.
The PDP in the suit dated and filed August 12 submitted that Buni violated Section 183 of the Constitution, when he accepted to serve as chairman of the caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite holding the position of an executive governor.
The plaintiffs include Umar Damagum, PDP’s Yobe governorship candidate in the 2019 election, and his running mate, Baba Aji.
In the suit filed by Emeka Etiaba, their lawyer, PDP insisted that Buni ceased to be a governor from the moment he accepted to act as the caretaker committee chairman of the APC.
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, respectively, having emerged second in the 2019 governorship election in the state.
The development comes amid concerns raised following the judgment of the supreme court, which affirmed the election victory of Rotimi Akeredolu as governor of Ondo state.
In the 4:3 judgment which upheld Akeredolu as Ondo governor, the apex court raised concern over the competence of Buni to conduct congresses and nominate candidates.
Reacting to the development at the time, minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo said for the party to avoid lawsuits, the APC should immediately suspend the congresses and replace Buni.
But the party dismissed his position.
Magnus Abe, a former senator and board member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy president of the senate, also disagreed with Keyamo’s position.
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