The Rivers State faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the ruling of Justice Stephen Jumbo, which nullified its congresses, describing it as a “kangaroo judgment.”
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“Our lawyers are studying the kangaroo judgment, and the party will immediately file an appeal,” the Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, said in a press statement on Tuesday.
Justice Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court had earlier nullified the Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses conducted by the party on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024.
The judgment stemmed from an interlocutory injunction following a suit filed by Port Harcourt-based legal practitioners Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and two others.
The court also restrained the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executives, who emerged from the congresses, from functioning as the party’s leaders in Rivers State.
But the pro-Wike PDP camp, maintained that the congresses were conducted in line with legal stipulations.
Yowika referenced a prior Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which authorised the party to proceed with the congresses.
“Justice Lifu barred the police, Department of State Services, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and others from disrupting the congresses. He ruled that the acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, should proceed with the exercise as scheduled,” Yowika said.
The congresses were subsequently held, with winners inaugurated.
Yowika emphasised that Justice Lifu’s ruling also mandated the PDP and its officials to adhere to the party’s guidelines, adjusted timetable, and schedule of activities, while barring individuals who failed to obtain nomination forms within the stipulated timeframe from contesting.
He further noted that the PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, had supported the application leading to Justice Lifu’s ruling.
Commenting on the Port Harcourt High Court judgment delivered by Justice Jumbo on January 13, 2025, Yowika assured party members across wards, local governments, and the state to remain calm.
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