The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is pressing ahead with its ward congresses in various areas of Rivers State, even though there are court orders prohibiting them from doing so. In Port Harcourt, at the PDP Secretariat on Aba Road, party members were seen picking up materials needed for the congresses in their respective wards. After collecting the necessary items, they headed back to their local councils to commence the process.
This situation follows a significant legal development last Friday when Justice Charles Wali issued an injunction. He barred the PDP, along with its National Chairman Iliya Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from holding any ward, local government, or state congresses anywhere in Rivers State. This order will remain in effect until the court reviews and resolves the lawsuit filed against the party. The suit was initiated by members from all 23 Local Government Areas, who are challenging the legitimacy of the congresses. Justice Wali also instructed the Inspector General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce this order.
Earlier this month, Justice Sobere Biambo had already issued a similar order in response to a lawsuit filed by David Omereji and ten others. They sought to halt the PDP congresses in Rivers State, which were planned for July 27. The order emphasized that the congresses should not proceed until the court makes a final decision on the matter.
However, a twist occurred when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a counter order, permitting the PDP to continue with their planned activities. In this ruling, Justice Peter Lifu prohibited the Department of State Services, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and seven other entities from interfering with or stopping the congresses.
As it stands, there are three conflicting court orders regarding the PDP congresses in Rivers State. Two of these orders, from a High Court in Rivers State, have stopped the congresses. Meanwhile, a Federal High Court order has allowed the PDP to go ahead with their plans. The PDP’s schedule includes ward congresses starting on July 27, followed by local government congresses on August 26, and state congresses in September.
