An Abia State High Court sitting in Bende judicial division, has restrained the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from holding its state, local government area and ward congresses to elect new officers.
The congress was billed to commence with the election of ward executives from 184 wards in the state, on 27th July,2024.
In the suit between Francis Etuzu, Chidindu Kalu Kalu ,Enyinnaya Ogbu( Claimants/ Applicants) and the PDP; national chairman of PDP; national financial secretary, PDP; national organizing secretary, PDP; national legal adviser PDP (defendants); the Court restrained the party from carrying out or rescheduling the party congresses pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
Ruling on the motion exparte, Justice C.U. Okoroafor, further restrained the party from taking any decision or giving any directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last state, local government area and ward executive officers of the party in the state pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The order read; “It is hereby ordered that leave be and is granted the claimants/Applicants to serve the originating summons and other processes in this suit on the defendants in Abuja , outside Abia State.
“That claimants/ applicants are hereby granted leave to serve the originating summons, orders and all other processes in this suit by substituted means by delivering same to any adult inmate and/ or by posting same at the headquarters of PDP, Wadata plaza, FCT, Abuja.
“That the defendants either by themselves, their representatives, servants, agents, assigns or howsoever called are hereby restrained from holding or carrying on the PDP party congress in Abia State on 27-07-2024 or to reschedule it to be held on any other date or location pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
“That the defendants either by themselves, their representatives, servants, agents, assigns or howsoever called are hereby restrained from taking any decision or giving directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last state, local government and ward executive officers of the PDP in Abia State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.”
Vanguard gathered that the matter was adjourned to 30th July,2024, for report of service.
However, the PDP in a statement, by its Acting state publicity secretary, Elder Amah Abraham, alleged that the restraining order was obtained by certain individuals who had previously resigned from the party prior to the 2023 general elections.
He disclosed that the party has activated its legal department to take appropriate actions against what he described as ‘unjust restraining order’.
The publicity secretary also warned that the PDP is determined to confront those who seek to undermine it.
“It is time to expose the common enemies of our party, and we will not back down from this fight,” he said.
