Fubara/Wike Rift: PDP Denies Involvement in Rivers State Appeal Court Case

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement clarifying its non-involvement in an appeal reportedly filed at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, concerning Suit No: PHC/2177/CS/2024.

According to Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, the PDP National Legal Adviser, the party did not file or authorize any solicitor to file the said appeal. As such, the PDP should not be listed as the appellant in this case.

The appeal in question challenges an order from the Rivers State High Court that restrains the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from acting on resolutions from certain individuals until the determination of the ongoing case.

The PDP emphasized that only its National Legal Adviser has the authority to conduct litigation, prosecution, and defense of cases on behalf of the party and its organs, as stated in Section 42 of the PDP’s Constitution (amended in 2017).

A public notice issued by the PDP on January 17, 2023, reaffirmed that no authority, office, or organ other than the National Legal Adviser can file or engage external solicitors for cases involving the party. Such engagements must be in writing and specify the nature of the case and the terms of the engagement.