The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its acceptance of the court ruling nullifying the congresses conducted in Rivers State in 2024,Thecable reports
Background
On Monday, the Rivers State High Court nullified the congresses held by the PDP in 2024. The court also barred the state executive committee (SEC) from overseeing the party’s affairs and restrained Aaron Chukwuemeka from acting as chairman.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Stephen Jumbo, was based on a suit filed by Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and two other PDP members. The petitioners argued that the local government and ward congresses conducted in August 2024 were in violation of a court order issued in July 2024, which had restrained the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the exercise.
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The congresses, held across 319 wards and 23 local government areas, were reportedly supported by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The claimants requested the court to:
- Declare the congresses null and void.
- Restrain Chukwuemeka and the state SEC from acting as officials of the party.
- Recognize the claimants as the authentic members of the PDP Rivers SEC.
The court granted their requests, nullifying the congresses, barring Chukwuemeka and the SEC from acting as officials, and recognizing the claimants as the legitimate members of the Rivers SEC.
PDP’s Reaction
In a statement on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, confirmed that the NWC has accepted the court’s decision.
“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),” the statement read.
Ologunagba commended the court’s ruling, describing it as a reaffirmation of the PDP’s commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and adherence to due process and party guidelines.
He called on party members in Rivers to collaborate with the Ewor-led SEC to ensure the unity, stability, and growth of the party. Ologunagba also urged Ewor to focus on uniting the party and ensuring the delivery of democratic dividends under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership, in line with the PDP’s manifesto.
Tensions at the PDP Secretariat
Earlier on Thursday, police barricaded the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt amid reports of a possible standoff between the sacked SEC and the newly recognized Ewor-led SEC, both of whom were reportedly preparing to assume office.
