The Rivers State High Court division in Port Harcourt has prohibited the state executives of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, from claiming to be the party’s executive committee.
This decision came from a ruling on an interlocutory injunction issued by Justice Stephen Jumbo on Monday.
Court sacks Rivers PDP chairman nullify congresses
The case was brought forward by two Port Harcourt lawyers, Edwin Woko and Love Otuonye, along with other PDP members, against the party’s National chairman, state chairman, and nine others. They sought a court ruling to invalidate the local government and ward congresses organized by pro-Wike supporters in 319 wards and 23 LGAs on July 27, August 10, and August 31 of last year.
The applicants argued that these congresses were conducted in violation of a July 16, 2024 court order from the Rivers State High Court, which had prohibited the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and their affiliates from holding congresses until a hearing on the already filed originating summons was completed.
This ruling follows a similar decision from last year, which annulled the ward, local government, and state executives of the All Progressive Congress (APC) that had resulted in the emergence of Tony Okocha.
Some view this ruling as a setback for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in his ongoing political struggle against Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State.
