Another Court Stops PDP Congress in Rivers State

Justice Charles Wali of the High Court of Justice in Rivers State has issued an injunction preventing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding any congresses in the state. The ruling came in response to an ex parte application filed by 21 PDP members, led by Ilaye Sunday Kitchen and Agile Handsome Ekelelchi.

The plaintiffs named the PDP, its Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagun, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Hon. Umar Bature, and National Financial Secretary Mr. Daniel Woyegikuro, among others, as defendants in the suit. Additionally, state party leaders including Hon. Aaron Chuk Wuemeka, Dr. Benibo George, Solomon Ogbonna, Lenebari Inaania, Enia Harris, and ThankGod Owhorji were also joined in the case.

The plaintiffs sought the court’s intervention to restrain the national leadership of the PDP from conducting any congresses in Rivers State. Justice Wali, after considering the submission by Emeka Ojoko Esq., granted an interim injunction. The order restricts the defendants and their representatives from gathering in any of the 319 wards of Rivers State’s 23 local government areas for the purpose of holding ward, local government, or state congresses on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024, or on any other date.

The injunction also directs state defendants and their agents to enforce the court’s order, preventing any congress activities until the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction is heard and determined. Furthermore, the order mandates that the injunction be served to the respondents via publication in a widely read national newspaper in Rivers State.

The court also stipulated that the plaintiffs are liable to pay damages to the respondents if the application is found to be frivolous. The case has been adjourned to August 1, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice.