PDP crisis: Controversies trail court verdict over Secondus’ removal as  National Chairman

By Joshua Elekwachi, Abuja

Controversies have begun to trail the court ruling that granted an interim order, restraining the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus from parading or acting as the National Chairman of the party.

The court judgement came after days the Board of Trustees (BoT), governors, former ministers, National Assembly Caucus and former governors of the Party met earlier this month to douse the tension swarming the leadership of the party.

At the end of the meeting, echelon party members asked the party’s National Chairman to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) by October.

However, in a twist of fate, Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the Degema Division of Rivers State High Court said in his ruling, “That an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the first defendant from parading himself as a member of the second defendant or national chaiman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the second defendant or any committee of the second defendants at ward, local government or state level or calling for any ward, local government or state congress of the second defendant or setting up committees for such congresses or participating in any activity of the second defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the second defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The order followed a motion ex parte marked PHC/2183/CS/2021 and filed by four persons – Ibeawuchi Alex, Dennis Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen, and Umeziriki Onucha.

Secondus and the main opposition party were listed as the first and second respondents to the suit.

According to the documents signed by the Assistant Chief Registrar (Litigation) of the court, Patricia Victor-Nwoka, the Justice ordered Secondus to stop parading himself as a member of the PDP.

He made the order after reading the affidavit in support of the ex parte motion and the written address, as well as after hearing the submissions of the counsel for the applicants.

Some leaders of the party have advocated for the immediate removal of the party’s National Chairman, saying national interest surpasses that of any fiefdom.

In a swift response, the media adviser to the national chairman of the PDP, Ike Abonyi in a signed statement 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.”

Also, the National Youth leader aspirant of PDP, Dr. A. B. C. Nwosu in a statement said, “The said order is laughable and can’t stand a test of time.

“This is a total ridiculous to the judiciary and I think the NJC should rise to adequately discipline that judge for giving such order. What is the basis?

“The National Chairman has not committed any crime and we are not aware of any expulsion from any organ of the party.

“As a party man, I believe in due process and that should be followed in this politicking. It is only a National Convention that can remove the National Chairman, the Party’s consultation is very explicit and nobody should play on the intelligence of Nigerians.

“This is not the time to continue building disaffection, everyone should return to table let’s go to the National Convention and elect new leaders for our party.

“Winning the next election is more important to the party and should not be traded on a struggle for supremacy”

The embattled National Chairman of the PDP, had vowed not to resign from office.

In an earlier statement, Secondus had said those demanding his exit should tell party members across the country what his offence was.

The terse statement said, “The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has said that he will not resign his position.

“Prince Secondus said in a short statement from his media office that nothing so far warrants his resignation from the party position and those tiny minority calling for his resignation should come clean and tell party members across the country his offence why he should resign.

“He said he will remain focused and committed to the ideals of the party which he swore to protect and defend upon his election to lead this great party 44 months ago.”