Court Issues Order Preventing PDP From Dissolving Rivers State EXCOs Backing Wike

Court Issues Order Preventing PDP From Dissolving Rivers State EXCOs Backing Wike

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restricting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including its Governors, National Working Committee (NWC), and Board of Trustees (BoT), from interfering with or dissolving the Executive Committee in Rivers State. This committee consists of loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former governor of Rivers State……CONTINUE READING 

Wike is currently in a dispute with the incumbent Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara. In its ruling on Wednesday, the court also barred the PDP Governors, NWC, and BoT from forming interim committees to take over the leadership of the party at the state, local government, or ward levels in Rivers State.

Justice Peter Lifu made the ruling in response to a case filed by the Rivers State PDP Executive Committee, led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, along with local government and ward executives. The court ordered the PDP national leadership and others to refrain from interfering with or dissolving the elected leadership of the party in Rivers, chosen during recent party congresses.

The court further directed that the leadership of the Rivers PDP executive committees at the state, local government, and ward levels should not be interrupted by any of the defendants. The judge also prohibited the defendants from installing any other individuals or groups to take over the duties of these officials, elected between July and August 2024.

The plaintiffs in the case—Aaron Chukwuemeka, Oye Fubara Igenewari, and ThankGod Bekee—filed the suit on behalf of the state, local government, and ward executive committees. The defendants listed include the PDP, Umar Damagun, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, the NWC, NEC, BoT, INEC, and Alhaji Bala Mohammed of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Representing the plaintiffs, Dr. Joshua Musa, SAN, argued that the defendants were attempting to dissolve the lawfully constituted state, local government, and ward executive committees in Rivers State and replace them with temporary committees. The plaintiffs claimed they would suffer harm and financial losses if these actions were allowed.

Justice Lifu, after considering the evidence, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or accepting any individuals or groups other than those duly elected in the state, local government, and ward elections in Rivers State. He also ordered the plaintiffs to file an indemnity in case the restraining orders are later deemed unnecessary.

The court has set October 4, 2024, for a hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion against the nine defendants.