Despite two court rulings barring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting ward congresses in Rivers State, the party proceeded with its planned congresses on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
On July 26, 2024, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order prohibiting the PDP, along with its National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from holding any congresses in the state. Justice Charles Wali's order was aimed at halting ward, local government, and state congresses until a legal dispute involving party members from the state's 23 local government areas is resolved. The court directed key security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to enforce this order. The case has been adjourned to August 1, 2024.
Earlier, on July 23, a Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled in favor of the PDP, allowing the party to proceed with its congresses despite the restrictions. Justice Peter Lifu's decision barred the DSS, the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and several other parties from intervening in the congresses.
Furthermore, a Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice Sobere Hambo, had previously issued an order against the PDP's congresses scheduled for July 27, 2024. This order was granted in an ex parte application filed by David Omereji, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, along with ten other petitioners.
In the face of these conflicting court rulings, the PDP conducted its congresses as scheduled, raising concerns about the enforcement of court decisions and the legal challenges facing the party in Rivers State.
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