The High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an injunction preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its congresses scheduled to begin tomorrow (Saturday) at the ward level. In his ruling on Friday, Justice Charles Wali forbade the party, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their representatives, from convening anywhere in Rivers State to carry out ward, local government, and state congresses until the court makes a decision on the pending case.
The lawsuit, initiated by at least one PDP member from each of the 23 Local Government Areas, contests the organization of the Congress.
Justice Wali instructed 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 adhere to the court’s directive.
This ruling marks the second court order from a Rivers State High Court halting the PDP’s planned congress in the state. Earlier this month, Justice Sobere Biambo issued an initial order following a lawsuit filed by David Omereji and ten others against the PDP, its national chairperson, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary.
The order stated: “An interim order is hereby issued stopping or suspending the PDP congress in Rivers State scheduled to hold on July 27 or any other date or location pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.”
Despite this, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a counter-order permitting the PDP to carry on with its planned activities. Justice Peter Lifu prohibited the Department of State Services, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and seven others from interfering with the congresses.
Currently, there are three orders concerning the scheduled congresses of the PDP in Rivers State. Two orders, issued by a High Court in Rivers State, have put a stop to the congresses. Meanwhile, a Federal High Court order has given the green light for the PDP to proceed with its activities.
The congresses are set to kick off on July 27 with ward congresses, followed by local government congresses on August 26, and state congresses in September. These congresses aim to elect new officials to oversee the operations of the PDP at the ward, local government, and state levels in Rivers State.
