The Rivers State faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the recent court ruling nullifying its congresses, describing it as a “kangaroo judgment.”
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 14 January, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Dr Kenneth Yowika, disclosed that the party’s legal team is analysing the judgment and intends to file an appeal without delay.
“Our lawyers are studying the kangaroo judgment, and the party will immediately file an appeal,” he stated.
Starrreporters Media reported that the contentious ruling, delivered by Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court, nullified the PDP’s Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses conducted on 27 July, 10 August, and 31 August 2024. The court also prohibited the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executives, elected during these congresses, from carrying out their leadership roles.
This verdict followed an interlocutory injunction in a lawsuit filed by legal practitioners Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and others. Despite the judgment, the pro-Wike faction maintains that the congresses adhered to legal procedures.
Yowika referenced an earlier decision by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which validated the congresses and restrained security agencies and other entities from interfering with the process.
“Justice Lifu’s ruling explicitly directed the acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, to proceed with the congresses as scheduled,” Yowika explained.
He further pointed out that Justice Lifu’s judgment mandated adherence to the party’s guidelines and timetable while disqualifying individuals who failed to obtain nomination forms within the stipulated deadline. The PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, had endorsed the application leading to Justice Lifu’s directive.
Commenting on the High Court ruling by Justice Jumbo on 13 January 2025, Yowika urged party members across the state to stay composed as the appeal process unfolds.
