PDP disregards Court order, forges ahead with ward congress in Rivers State

Despite two court orders halting the process, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) proceeded with its ward congresses in Rivers State yesterday.

Party members gathered at the PDP secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt to collect materials for the exercise before heading to their respective wards.

Meanwhile, in Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah praised the congresses’ success, describing the process as peaceful, free, fair, and credible.

Justice Charles Wali on Friday barred the party, its National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents, from gathering anywhere in Rivers State to hold ward, local government, and state congresses pending the determination of the suit before the court.

The judge further directed the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the order.

Prior to Wali’s order, Justice Sobere Biambo had issued an order in a suit filed by David Omereji and 10 others stopping the PDP, its national chairperson, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary from conducting the congress.

But a Federal High Court in Abuja was said to have countered the first order and allowed the party to proceed with its congresses.

Justice Peter Lifu had barred the DSS, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seven others from “stopping, truncating, or disrupting” the congresses.

It was learnt that the PDP in Ward 1 Oro Igwe, Obio Akpor Local Government Area held its ward congress and successfully elected new ward executives and a three-man delegate.

The event reportedly took place at Eliozu community hall and was monitored by INEC.

The Speaker of the 27-member House of Assembly, Martin Chike Amaewhule, was said to have participated in the exercise.

The party was said to have also held its congress in Ward 14, Eneka/Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.

Sources said the event witnessed a massive turnout of party faithful, who partook in the exercise and reelected Sir Chukwuemeka Owhor as Chairman for a second term.

Wobe Mike Junior was reportedly elected the Vice-Chairman; ThankGod Wuzor, Secretary; Ogbonna Joy Wobiareari, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Nyekwe Victor Nyebuchi – Publicity Secretary.