“We Accept the Court Judgment Nullifying Wike-Backed Rivers Congresses” – PDP NWC

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accepted the court judgment nullifying the congresses conducted in Rivers State in 2024.

On Monday, the Rivers State High Court ruled against the congresses, which had been reportedly backed by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The court also restrained the state executive committee (SEC) of the PDP from overseeing the party’s affairs and barred Aaron Chukwuemeka from acting as chairman.

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by PDP members Edwin Woko and Love Otuonye, along with two others, challenging the legitimacy of the congresses held in the 319 wards and 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state in August 2024. The plaintiffs argued that the congresses violated a previous court order from July 2024, which had restrained the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the exercise.

Justice Stephen Jumbo, who presided over the case, upheld the petitioners’ request, declaring the congresses null and void. The court further recognised the applicants as the legitimate members of the PDP’s Rivers State executive committee and directed the party’s national leadership to acknowledge them.

In response, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the party’s NWC had accepted the ruling. He announced that the party now recognises the Nname Robinson Ewor-led SEC as the legitimate leadership of the PDP in Rivers State.

“Consequently, in line with the judgment of the court delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the NWC affirms the Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to henceforth pilot the affairs of the PDP Rivers State chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),” Ologunagba stated.

He commended the court’s decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of the PDP’s commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and adherence to party guidelines. He urged members in Rivers to work with the Ewor-led SEC to ensure the party’s unity and stability.

Ologunagba also called on Ewor to foster reconciliation within the party and support Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration in delivering on the PDP’s manifesto.

Amid the leadership transition, tensions flared in Port Harcourt as police barricaded the PDP secretariat following reports that both the sacked SEC and the newly recognised Ewor-led SEC were preparing to assume control.