PDP’s defiance of court orders to hold ward congresses in Rivers State has triggered widespread controversy and public interest.
Although two court judgments prohibited the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from conducting ward congresses in Rivers State on Saturday, July 27th,2024; the party flouted these orders and proceeded to hold congresses across different wards within the state.
In Port Harcourt, on Friday 26th July 2024, a restraining order was issued against the PDP by Rivers State High Court. In addition, its National Chairman Iliya Umar Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu were also included in the order.
Until a suit filed by genuine party members from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State is heard and determined, it has been mandated that the party and its representatives refrain from conducting ward, local government or state congresses in Rivers State.
The enforcement of the restraining order was assigned by Justice Charles Wali to several law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Director-General of DSS and NSCDC.
Further hearing on the case has been adjourned to August 1, 2024.
On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja instructed the PDP in Rivers State to continue with its ward, local government and state congresses.
Justice Peter Lifu’s ruling prohibited the DSS, Police, INEC and seven additional parties from obstructing the scheduled congresses.
New officers to manage the affairs of PDP at different levels in Rivers State will be elected during upcoming congresses.
The PDP, its national chairman, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary were previously prohibited from conducting the July 27th congress in Rivers State by a ruling of the Federal High Court following an identical order made by a Rivers State High Court.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, David Omereji and 10 others brought an ex parte application against the defendants, which resulted in Justice Sobere Hambo issuing this order.
The most recent order to halt the congresses from being held in the state came from Justice Wali.
