A fresh crisis has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday as a Rivers State High Court sitting in Degema, has issued an interim injunction restraining, Prince Uche Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman and member of PDP.
Hon. Justice. O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court sitting in Port Harcourt granted the order yesterday, following a suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).
The judge, after the reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.
Excerpt from the order read: “That an order restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as a member of the 2nd defendant or the national chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the 2nd defendant or calling, attending or presiding over any meeting of the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 2nd defendant at the Ward, Local Government or State level or calling for any Ward, Local Government or State Congress of the 2nd defendant or setting up committees for such Congresses or participating in any activity of the 2nd defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The judge also granted leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, all orders made by the court and all subsequent processes on the respondent by pasting same on his gate at No.1 William Jumbo Street, Old G.R.A Port Harcourt.
The judge further granted leave to serve by substituted means orders made by the court on the respondents by publishing same in the Nation.
Reacting however, Secondus said he is ready to defend himself.
A statement from the national chairman’s media office, signed by Ike Abonyi said, “If Secondus and the party are taken to court they will defend themselves.
“PDP and Secondus are not afraid of court, this party is a child of history, owned by Nigerians, bigger than any individual or group including desperadoes,” he said.
Recall that Secondus had got a soft landing by the governors and other stakeholders of the party over moves to force him to resign from office.
The governors and party leaders however resolved to bring the national convention of the party forward to October instead of December when the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Secondus was to expire.
They also resolved that a national convention planning committee be immediately set up to begin the process of the convention by October. The committee will be ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
It was also agreed that the zoning committee for the party should also be constituted by the NEC as well.
Recall that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party had set up a committee comprising governors and other stakeholders to deliberate on moves to sack Secondus.
The plot which was spearheaded by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is aimed at stopping Secondus from recontesting the chairmanship position.
However, after their meeting of governors, the expanded BoT meeting was held yesterday at the national secretariat of the party.
