In a significant legal tussle, the Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed a suit filed by the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, against the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and key members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The case has been adjourned until January 13, 2025, after the court granted the respondents additional time to regularize and submit necessary documents.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, granted the adjournment at the request of the defense lawyers, allowing them more time to prepare their filings.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit, initiated by Aaron Chukwuemeka, Oye Fubara Igenewari, and ThankGod Bekee, represents the interests of the state, local government, and ward executive committees (EXCOs). The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to prevent the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) from dissolving the Rivers State Executive Committee (SEC).
Listed as respondents in the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1396/2024) are PDP; the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; the party’s Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; Umar Bature; the National Working Committee; the National Executive Committee (NEC); and the Board of Trustees (BOT). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, are also named in the suit.
Previous Court Order
The conflict first escalated when the plaintiffs obtained a restraining order on September 24, 2024, halting the PDP’s national leadership from dissolving the Rivers State SEC. This order, secured through an ex-parte motion filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joshua Musa on behalf of the plaintiffs, also barred the party from appointing interim committees until the court reaches a final decision.
The plaintiffs claim that the PDP’s leadership is planning to unlawfully remove them from office and replace them with interim committees, a move they have urged the court to prevent.
Legal Proceedings
In the latest hearing, the court granted a motion by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Musa, to regularize their processes. On the defense side, Sunday Ameh, SAN, representing some of the defendants, requested an adjournment, stating he had only recently been briefed on the case. Similarly, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, counsel for the PDP Governors Forum, also asked for more time to organize his case.
With no objections from the plaintiffs or other parties involved, Justice Lifu granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for January 13, 2025. The legal battle continues to be one to watch, as it could have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s internal structure and leadership dynamics.
