In the wake of contradictory court rulings regarding the conduct of party congresses by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, party chieftain and House of Representatives member, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, has expressed his disapproval of the congresses held on Saturday.

In a statement made in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Ugochinyere, who is affiliated with the G-60 group of national assembly legislators, asserted that the court orders prohibiting the congresses should be upheld.

A recent ruling from the State High Court, presided over by Justice Charles Wali, explicitly prohibited the PDP, along with its National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from convening ward, local government, and state congresses within Rivers State until the ongoing legal proceedings are resolved.

Commenting on the situation, Ugochinyere remarked, “There is nothing of significance to discuss here. Should a group of individuals, driven by desperation, choose to convene a private meeting, it should not concern anyone.”

He further implicated former Governor Nyesom Wike as a principal architect of the ongoing political strife in Rivers State, urging him to cease his actions. “I would advise Nyesom Wike to desist from this behavior.

The farce is becoming excessive. With a court order still in effect just days before this congress, the event should not have proceeded. Yet, in his desperation, along with his supporters, he convened what I can only describe as a private gathering.”

Ugochinyere dismissed the Wike faction’s gathering as a mere “kindred meeting,” stating, “It does not hold any validity; it concludes there. They are merely conversing among themselves, and it is a nullity.”

He elaborated on the legal ramifications, noting, “The existence of a prevailing court order renders their actions void. As it stands, the PDP in Rivers State is non-functional due to a faction of individuals likened to the ‘PDAPC’ attempting to usurp control of the party.

Furthermore, I must caution the police commissioner, who, reminiscent of a prior officer, Joseph Mbu, appears to be politically aligned with Wike. Today, he finds himself in a position of disgraceful retirement.”

Ugochinyere called for the removal of the current police commissioner, indicating a potential compromise amid the political unrest in Rivers State. “I urge the Inspector General of Police and the President to intervene and, if necessary, relieve the police commissioner of his duties. His current course of action could exacerbate the already volatile situation in the nation.”

He expressed concern over the broader implications of the political chaos, stating, “While they profess loyalty to the president, their actions threaten to destabilize Rivers State, which in turn could impede the government’s efforts to address the economic needs of our citizens. A faction claiming to serve the president, driven by greed, is willing to undermine the state’s stability.”

Ugochinyere recounted previous political maneuvers, emphasizing the ill-fated attempt by former Speaker Amaewhule and his faction to join the APC in pursuit of illegitimate gains. “Their efforts to remove Fubara from office proved futile.

Their haste to align with the APC, driven by a singular ambition to control Rivers State, backfired. They now find themselves seeking judicial affirmation of their legislative status, despite the clear constitutional provisions rendering their seats vacant upon defection.”

He reiterated, “Their struggle is fundamentally about reclaiming legitimacy in the state assembly to facilitate the ousting of the governor and gain access to state resources. These individuals are no longer lawmakers; they must accept this reality. The community that elected Fubara is the only entity with the authority to remove him from office.”

Concluding his remarks, Ugochinyere reiterated the insignificance of the congress conducted by the Wike faction, labeling it a “kindred meeting.” He expressed skepticism regarding Wike’s persistence in such endeavors, proclaiming, “As a dedicated member of this party, I affirm that their actions are void and without merit.”

In response to threats from former local government chairpersons to forcibly reclaim their positions, Ugochinyere expressed pity for them: “Their tenures have concluded, yet one individual in Abuja has misled them into believing they can remain in power.

It is only a politically misguided individual who fails to recognize the sanctity of tenure limits in democracy. Their time in office has ended, and no earthly power can restore them to positions that have lapsed”