Rivers PDP Defies Court Orders, Holds Ward Congresses Amid Legal Wrangling
In a brazen move, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has commenced ward congresses, despite two court orders prohibiting the exercise. The party members were observed collecting materials for the congress at the PDP Secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt before departing for their respective councils.
The controversy surrounds a suit filed by at least one PDP member from each of the 23 Local Government Areas, challenging the conduct of the Congress. Justice Charles Wali had prohibited the party, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents, from gathering anywhere in Rivers State to hold ward, local government, and state congresses until the court hears and determines the suit before it.
Earlier this month, Justice Sobere Biambo issued an interim order stopping or suspending the PDP congress in Rivers State scheduled to hold on July 27 or any other date or location pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a counter order allowing the PDP to proceed with the activities.
In this ruling, Justice Peter Lifu barred the Department of State Services, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and seven others from “stopping, truncating, or disrupting” the congresses. Currently, there are three orders regarding the planned congresses of the PDP in Rivers State, with two orders halting the congresses and one allowing the party to proceed.
The congresses are scheduled to commence on July 27 across the country with ward congresses, followed by local government congresses on August 26, and state congresses in September. These congresses aim to elect new officers to run the affairs of the PDP at the ward, local government, and state levels in Rivers State.
For now, the PDP seems to be moving forward with its plans, despite the legal challenges. The outcome of this standoff will be closely watched, as it has the potential to impact the future of the party in Rivers State.
