Breaking: Court Overturns PDP Leadership In Rivers State, Citing Irregularities

Published January 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has invalidated the election of Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The court also annulled the ward, local government, and state congresses conducted by the PDP in July 2024.

Justice Stephen Jumbo, who presided over the case, cited irregularities and non-compliance with due process as reasons for nullifying the congresses.

This judgment follows a similar recent ruling that invalidated the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, which had produced Tony Okocha, an ally of Nyesom Wike, as chairman.

The legal dispute arose over the legitimacy of the PDP congresses, allegedly organized by a faction loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On July 20, 2024, Justice Charles Wali of a Rivers State High Court had issued an injunction preventing the PDP from proceeding with the congresses. However, the party went ahead, resulting in the ongoing legal conflict.

This latest court decision is expected to further deepen divisions within the PDP in Rivers State.

As of now, the PDP in Rivers State has not released an official statement addressing the ruling.