The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it proceeded with the state, local government, and ward congresses, despite a court injunction nullifying the exercise on Monday.
The party clarified that a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order allowing it to proceed with the congresses.
A statement from the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, noted that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had barred the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seven other parties from “stopping, truncating, or disrupting” the conduct of the congresses.
However, in response to the judgment delivered by Justice Jumbo Stephens of the High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday, the PDP spokesman urged all party members at the ward, LGA, and state levels to remain calm, assuring them that the party’s lawyers are studying the judgment, which will be immediately appealed.
Recall that the PDP congresses were held between July and August 31, 2024, with the winners inaugurated subsequently.
The PDP spokesman further explained that Justice Lifu, while delivering a ruling on the ex parte application brought by six members of the PDP in Rivers State, had instructed the acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, to proceed with the conduct of the congresses as scheduled.
“Justice Lifu also ordered the PDP and the three national officers to strictly adhere to the guidelines, adjusted timetable, and schedule of activities duly issued and published, pending the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed along with the motion ex parte,” the statement read.
“Justice Lifu also restrained the PDP and the three national officers from allowing any person who did not obtain a nomination form or ad hoc form within the time stipulated in the guideline from running for any elective office or ad hoc or national delegates’ position, pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.”
A certified enrolled order in respect of the motion ex parte, signed by Justice Lifu and the Registrar of the court, Mrs. Awase Igba, dated July 23, 2024, showed that Senior Advocate of Nigeria K.O. Njemanze (SAN) argued the ex parte application on behalf of the six plaintiffs.
The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, deposed to the affidavit in support of the ex parte application.
