A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday restrained the embattled National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Prince Uche Secondus from acting, presiding or convening any meeting of the PDP in the ward, local government, state or country in the capacity of chairman or member of the party.
Presiding Judge, Justice Gbasam Okogbule in the suit filed by one Ibeawuchi Ernest-Alex and three others against Secondus and the PDP ruled that the suspension of Secondus is still valid since there has not been any counter-order or affidavit by the party challenging the suspension.
Justice Gbasam granted all the reliefs sought by the claimants, and also ruled that Secondus cannot act or perform any function as chairman of the party, citing the case of Adams Oshiomole of the All Progressives Congress who was suspended by his ward.
The judge while ruling on four preliminary objections by counsel to the defendants, struck out articles 59 of the PDP constitution which gives power to the National Working Committee to sanction members since according to him the section of the party’s constitution runs in conflict with the Nigerian constitution.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, counsel to Secondus, Godfrey Uwalaka said he is “not surprised about the outcome” of the court just as he expressed concern that the “court could go ahead to rule on a matter that is pending before the appeal and records transmitted”.
Also speaking counsel to the claimants, Nwosuegbe Eze welcomed the judgment saying it serves as justice in the matter.
It will interest you to know that the suit filed on the 3rd of September, 2021, challenged the right of Uche Secondus to continue to act as National chairman of PDP having been “suspended” by the party in his ward in Andoni Local Government Area following alleged “anti-party activities and nonpayment of dues”.
