THE battle to determinethe standard-bearerof the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, on Thursday, shifted to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, as Governor Timipre Sylva told the five-man panel, headed by Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, that the PDP had invoked its jurisdiction in order to stall hearing of the substantive matter at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.The PDP had filed an application for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, challenging the ruling of the trial court, warning it against taking steps relating to governorship primary election in the state.But when the matter came up at the Appeal Court on Thursday, Sylva's counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, decried the alleged fraudulent invocation of the court's jurisdiction, pointing out that 'the appellants gave the impressions that the record of proceedings at the court below was compiled and transmitted by its (court's) registry whereas it was a record compiled and transmitted by the appellants themselves. And because they made it seem like it was a record compiled and transmitted by the court below, we had no choice but to concede. What I am saying is that they got us all here fraudulently. It is by fraud we are here without first getting a stay,' Fagbemi submitted.Under the rules, parties are not allowed to approach the appellate court, except under the special circumstance that the record of proceedings at the court below had been compiled and transmitted by its registry.However, counsel for PDP acting National Chairman, Tayo Oyetibo, prayed the court to grant an application, seeking a departure from the rules.The court told Fagbemi that if he had an issue with the court record compiled by the appellants, he should file the necessary application for consideration.She accordingly adjourned till December 12 for hearing while directing parties to file and exchange their written briefs before then.Meanwhile, worried by the festering crisis among top party members ahead of the 2012 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the PDP at the national level has set up a reconciliatory committee, with the mandate to resolve all the differences within the party, Nigerian Tribune investigation has revealed.The all-inclusive committee, which is to be headed by the first governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, our correspondent learnt, would be inaugurated today (Friday), barring any unforeseen contingency, with the mandate to harmonise all warring factions within the major stakeholders of the PDP in the oil- rich state.Credible source informed the Nigerian Tribune that the development became expedient with a view to resolving lingering crisis rocking the party, taking into cognisance next February's gubernatorial poll, which the party would not want to leave to chances.According to him, 'the committee would also find an amicable solution to the complaints and other contending issues, which dogged its gubernatorial primary election, recently won by Honourable Seriake Dickson, at Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.Prominent members of the committee include the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and erstwhile Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Timi Alaibe, Chief T.K.O Okorotie, former Minister of Science and Technology, Mr T.T Isoun; Senator John Kojo Byran Biafa, Mr Anderson Seimokumo, former chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr Fred Agbedi, among others.
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