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Thursday, November 14, 2024

Federal Court Clears Way for PDP Congresses in Rivers State

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted permission for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to proceed with its scheduled ward, local government, and state congresses. In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu prohibited the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seven other entities from interfering with the congresses.

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The congresses are set to commence on July 27 with ward elections, followed by local government elections on August 26, and concluding with state congresses in September. These elections are intended to select new officers to manage the PDP at various levels within Rivers State.

This decision comes in response to an order issued by the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt on July 16, 2024, which had barred the PDP from conducting its congresses in the state. The court order was issued following a suit filed against the PDP and its national leadership by several party members.

The lawsuit was initiated just weeks after Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed dissatisfaction with the PDP’s performance, stating that the party had failed him and his supporters. The plaintiffs in the Port Harcourt case included David Chiinedu Omereji, Prince Solomon Eke, and several others, who sought to halt the congresses.

However, Justice Lifu’s ruling on Tuesday allows the acting PDP National Chairman Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature to proceed with the congresses as scheduled. He emphasized that the PDP must adhere strictly to the provisions of the guidelines, adjusted timetable, and schedule of activities previously issued and published.

Additionally, Justice Lifu prohibited the PDP and its national officers from permitting any individual who did not obtain a nomination form or ad hoc form within the stipulated time to run for any elective office or ad hoc or national delegate position. This order will remain in effect until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is resolved.

In granting the plaintiffs’ request, the judge required them to provide an undertaking to indemnify the defendants if it is later determined that the court was misled into issuing the restraining orders.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 15, when all parties will present their respective cases. The ruling, signed by Justice Lifu and court registrar Mrs. Awase Igba on July 23, 2024, was argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria K. O. Njemanze on behalf of the plaintiffs. The current Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, supported the ex parte application with an affidavit.

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