Rivers Crisis: Court Bars PDP Governors, NWC, BoT from Dissolving Pro-Wike Excos

An Abuja Federal High Court has issued a restraining order against key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including its governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Board of Trustees (BoT), from dissolving the executive committees loyal to Nyesom Wike in Rivers State.

This development follows growing tensions between the current Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who remains a powerful figure within the state’s PDP structure.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, prevents the PDP leadership from tampering with the executive committees at the state, local government, and ward levels. These bodies, which were elected during the party’s recent congresses, are largely seen as supportive of Wike.

The court’s decision stems from an ex-parte application filed by Aaron Chukwuemeka and other leaders of the PDP’s Rivers State Executive Committee, as well as counterparts at local government and ward levels. The plaintiffs accused the PDP’s national leadership and governors of plotting to dissolve the existing leadership in the state and replace them with interim committees.

Justice Lifu’s ruling prohibits the PDP from installing any interim body or allowing any other group to perform the functions of the duly elected committees. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also been restrained from recognizing any other individuals or groups besides those elected during the recent state, local government, and ward elections.

The court further directed the plaintiffs to submit a fresh undertaking, agreeing to indemnify the defendants if it is later found that the restraining orders were unjustified.

Hearing on the substantive motion has been scheduled for October 4, 2024.