Despite Court Orders, PDP Proceeds To Hold Ward Congress In Rivers

Despite Court Orders, PDP Proceeds To Hold Ward Congress In Rivers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday held its ward congresses in Rivers State despite two court orders stopping the party from going ahead with the exercise.

Members of the party converged at the PDP secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt and collected materials for the exercise.

It was gathered that after collecting their materials, the party members left for their various wards in their different councils.

Justice Charles Wali on Friday barred the party, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents, from gathering anywhere in Rivers State to hold ward, local government, and state congresses pending the determination of the suit before the court.

The judge further directed the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the order.

Prior to Wali’s order, Justice Sobere Biambo had issued an order in a suit filed by David Omereji and 10 others stopping  the PDP, its national chairperson, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary from conducting the congress.

But a Federal High Court in Abuja was said to have countered the first order and  issued allowed the PDP to proceed with its congresses.

Justice Peter Lifu had barred the Department of State Services, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and seven others from “stopping, truncating, or disrupting” the congresses.

It was learnt that the PDP in Ward 1 Oro Igwe, Obio Akpor Local Government Area held its ward congress and successfully elected new ward executives and a three-man delegate.

The event reportedly took place at Eliozu community hall and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) .

The Speaker of the 27-member House of Assembly, Martin Chike Amaewhule, was said to have participated in the exercise.

The party was said to have also held its congress in Ward 14, Eneka/Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.

Sources said the event witnessed  a massive turnout of party faithful, who partook in the exercise and relected Sir Chukwuemeka Owhor  as Chairman  for a second term.

Wobe Mike Junior was reportedly elected the Vice-Chairman; ThankGod Wuzor,  Secretary; Ogbonna Joy Wobiareari, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Nyekwe Victor Nyebuchi – Publicity Secretary;

Iyke Chinda, Treasurer and Owunnah Prince Ovunda’ Youth Leader among others.

Owhor was quoted as thanking party members for re-electing him for a second term, promising to carry all members along in his leadership for the progress of the party at the ward level.

The PDP was also said to have held its congress in Ward13 Obio/Akpor LGA where Chief  Wenekanma Chijioke expressed joy over the turnout of members.

He was also quoted as saying that ward13 was solidly behind the FCT Minister, Chief  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, whom he described as the political leader of PDP in Rivers State.

Nsirim Samuel Wilson was said to have thanked the party for re-electing him as the chairman of the ward .

It was gathered that the ward congress was observed by INEC officials and security agencies

Similar exercise reportedly held unhindered at ward five in Ogu Bolo  local government area.