The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding ward congresses across various wards in Rivers State, despite court orders prohibiting the exercise. At the PDP Secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, party members were seen collecting materials for the congresses in their respective wards and then departing for their local councils......READ THE FULL STORY>>.....READ THE FULL STORY>>
On Friday, Justice Charles Wali issued an order barring the PDP, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents from conducting ward, local government, and state congresses in Rivers State until the court resolves the ongoing suit. This suit was filed by at least one PDP member from each of the 23 Local Government Areas, challenging the conduct of the congresses.
Justice Wali also directed the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the order.
Earlier this month, Justice Sobere Biambo issued a similar order in response to a suit filed by David Omereji and 10 others against the PDP, its national chairperson, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary. The interim order halted the PDP congress in Rivers State scheduled for July 27 or any other date, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
However, a Federal High Court in Abuja later issued a counter-order allowing the PDP to proceed with its activities. Justice Peter Lifu’s ruling barred the DSS, police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seven others from stopping or disrupting the congresses.
Currently, there are conflicting orders regarding the PDP’s planned congresses in Rivers State. Two orders from the Rivers State High Court have halted the congresses, while a Federal High Court order has allowed them to proceed.
The congresses, which began on July 27, are scheduled to continue with local government congresses on August 26 and state congresses in September. These congresses aim to elect new officers to manage the PDP’s affairs at the ward, local government, and state levels in Rivers State.
