TAMBUWAL FIGHTS BACK

According to the Speaker, the PDP still remains factionalised in his home state of Sokoto. This, he said, informed his decision to defect.

He also asked the court to grant an order of injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from taking any step to remove him from office as Speaker and member of the House or in any manner.

The six other respondents in the suit are PDP National Chairman, Deputy Speaker of the House, the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

He said, “I know as a fact that all efforts to harmonise the factions of the PDP in my home state in Sokoto has failed as there are still factions in the state. I informed the members of the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) while announcing my decision to join the New PDP faction, who merged with the 2nd plaintiff (APC) that my membership of the 2nd plaintiff was based on the circumstances in my home state.”

Tambuwal further stated that since he announced his defection, PDP and its Chairman have consistently threatened to declare his seat vacant and withdraw all rights and benefits including security details attached to him.

The Speaker is praying the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from taking any step or further steps to abrogate or diminish or take away or interfere with or infringe his rights and privileges as Speaker and a member of the House before the expiration of his term of office on June 5, 2015.

He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting any nomination of candidates or otherwise organising or conducting a bye-election for the purpose of replacing him or taking over his seat as Speaker and member of the House before the expiration of his current tenure of office on June 5, 2015.

Tambuwal equally prayed the court to grant an order of mandatory injunction compelling the IGP and AGF to restore his security details and all other rights, benefits and opportunities appurtenant to members of and office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Speaker also seeks a declaration that the decisions or threatened decisions of all the defendants, except INEC, purporting or planning and or attempting to declare the seat of the 1st plaintiff in the 3rd defendant vacant as a member and Speaker thereof, is unlawful, unconstitutional and ultra vires the powers of the defendants

He is also seeking for a declaration that he remains a member and the Speaker of the 3rd defendant until the expiration of his current term of office on June 5, 2015 notwithstanding his membership of APC unless he is removed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.