Shun PDP letters without my signature - Oyinlola tells INEC

The former Osun State Governor and reinstated National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, yesterday told the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, that he should ignore any correspondences without his signature from the PDP.

In a letter to the INEC boss, Oyinlola said the constitution empowered him to be the sole signatory to all letters originating from the national secretariat of the PDP.

This follows the announcement by the leadership of the PDP that the party had written to INEC on the suspension of Baraje, Dr. Sam Jaja, Oyinlola and Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure .

PDP said   in a statement  by its  National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, that the letter was personally signed by  its  National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur.

'The decision of the NWC was in exercise of its powers under section 57 (3) of the PDP constitution, 2012 (as amended) and in the overall interest of the Party and its members,' Metuh said in the statement.

Consequently, in the letter with reference number PDP/NS/56 and dated November 11, 2013, Oyinlola informed the commission and its chairman (Prof. Attahiru Jega), that the   Appeal court verdict  had invalidated the January 11, 2013  judgment   by Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The letter reads, 'I present to you my warm and sincere compliments.

'As you may be aware, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, has nullified the January 11, 2013 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which removed me from office as the national secretary of the PDP.

'The directive of the court was implemented by   INEC, which consequently struck out my name off its register and other documents, as the national secretary of the PDP.

'Following the nullification of the above stated judgment of the FHC , Abuja presided over by Justice  Kafarati by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which is a superior court of competent jurisdiction, which also ruled that I was wrongly removed from office as  the  PDP national secretary, this correspondence serves to inform you of my decision to continue to perform my duties as the validly elected national secretary of the PDP.

'Your records would reveal that I was validly elected into office as  the national secretary  of the PDP at its  national convention on Saturday, March 24, 2012.'

Oyinlola therefore asked INEC to reflect  on the development in its records, just as he attached a copy of the judgment to his letter.

He said further, 'You are requested to kindly note this development and reflect it accordingly in your records, in compliance with the court judgment delivered on Wednesday,  November 6, 2013.

'A copy of the judgment is attached for your attention and further necessary action, please.

'Kindly note that in compliance with the constitution of the PDP, I'm expected to sign all official correspondence emanating from the PDP national secretariat  to the INEC, in my capacity as the national secretary of the PDP.'

As stated in Oyinlola's letter, Article 36 of the PDP constitution stipulates the duties of the secretary, which include rendering a written annual report of the activities of the party to INEC and the national convention.

The article also describes the national secretary as the 'chief administrative and accounting officer of the party.'

The party's constitution adds that the national secretary 'shall be the custodian of the common seal of the party'.

Oyinlola   also sent a letter to the National Legal Adviser of the party, Mr. Victor Kwom, asking him to advise the party to  comply with the appeal court judgment.

The letter to Kwom reads in part, 'You are requested to kindly note this development for immediate compliance by the PDP and all its organs, particularly the national chairman and members of the National Working Committee of our great party.'

INEC, in its response, said that Oyinlola's letter would be treated   in the context of  the  court judgment.

'The letter will be taken in the context of the judgment. It has to be taken in the context of the judgment', Mr. Kayode Idowu, the   Chief Press Secretary to  Jega said.

He, however,  said that since the verdict was not directed at INEC,  it was purely a party matter.

'Are you aware that the court judgment was not directed at INEC? The judgment was directed at the party and so it is a party matter', ' Idowu added.