Court refuses PDP’s application to remove Tambuwal as Speaker

An attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party to surreptitiously remove the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, through an ex parte application has failed as the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ordered the party to put the Speaker on notice.

The court turned down the party’s request for an ex parte order to compel Tambuwal to vacate his seat as Speaker of the House of Representatives following his defection from the majority party (PDP).

PDP’s counsel, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), who argued the application, said Tambuwal had lost his seat by reason of his defection, according to the provisions of section 68 of the 1999 constitution.

The party joined the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Emeka  Ihedioha, as respondents in the motion.

It urged the court to order Tambuwal to give effect to the provisions of section 68(1)(g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to declare his seat at the House of Representatives vacant.

PDP also prayed the court for an alternative order directing the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat vacant by an order of mandamus.

Also in the ex parte motion, PDP asked the court to stop Tambuwal from performing or continuing to perform the function of the Speaker in the House of Representatives, or sitting or continuing to sit in the House as a member. Thisday