Politics
Court Restrains Abia PDP From Holding Party Congresses
An Abia State High Court sitting in Bende judicial division, has restrained the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from holding its state, local government and ward congresses to elect new officers.
The congresses are billed to commence with the election of ward executives from 184 wards in the state, on Saturday, 27th July, 2024.
In the suit between Francis Etuzu, Chidindu Kalu Kalu ,Enyinnaya Ogbu, (Claimants/ Applicants) and the PDP; national chairman of PDP; national financial secretary, PDP; national organising secretary, PDP; national legal adviser PDP (defendants); the court restrained the party from carrying out or rescheduling the party congresses pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
Ruling on the motion exparte, Justice C.U. Okoroafor, further restrained the party from taking any decision or giving any directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last state, local government area and ward executive officers of the party in the state pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The order read: “It is hereby ordered that leave be and is granted the claimants/Applicants to serve the originating summons and other processes in this suit on the defendants in Abuja , outside Abia State.
“That claimants/ applicants are hereby granted leave to serve the originating summons, orders and all other processes in this suit by substituted means by delivering same to any adult inmate and/ or by posting same at the headquarters of PDP, Wadata plaza, FCT, Abuja.
“That the defendants either by themselves, their representatives, servants, agents, assigns or howsoever called are hereby restrained from holding or carrying on the PDP party congress in Abia State on 27-07-2024 or to reschedule it to be held on any other date or location pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
“That the defendants either by themselves, their representatives, servants, agents, assigns or howsoever called are hereby restrained from taking any decision or giving directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last state, local government and ward executive officers of the PDP in Abia State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.”
The Tide’s source gathered that the matter was adjourned to 30th July, 2024, for report of service.
However, the PDP in a statement, by its acting state Publicity Secretary, Elder Amah Abraham, alleged that the restraining order was obtained by certain individuals who had previously resigned from the party prior to the 2023 general elections.
He disclosed that the party has activated its legal department to take appropriate actions against what he described as ‘unjust restraining order’.
The publicity secretary also warned that the PDP was determined to confront those who seek to undermine it.
“It is time to expose the common enemies of our party, and we will not back down from this fight,” he said.
The newly elected Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Vincent Reuben Obu, has resumed office with the resolve and assurance to govern the LGA with a deep sense of responsibility and consultation with stakeholders to bring sustainable development in the area.
Hon Obu disclosed this while speaking with news- men at Ayama, Abua Central shortly after swearing into office, the vice Chairman of the Council, Hon Eruka Enanaapu and new councilors representing the 13 Wards of the LGA and constituting the 9th Legislative Assembly, with Rt Hon Memonye Wariboko representing Ward1 elected as the Leader.
The chairman dissolved all standing committees and political appointees from the previous administration, and announced the appointment of Dr. Otuoye Asher as the new secretary of the council.
He affirmed his campaign promises to commission projects within 100 days in office, stating that the Abua/Odual rural electrification project would be one of the key initiatives to be commissioned within his first 100 days in office.
Hon Obu condemned the recent unleashing of mayhem and destruction of some local government secretariats by hoodlums, and urged residents to remain law-abiding and key into the peaceful leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara which is bringing total transformation and development in Rivers State.
In their remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Pastor Goodlife Ben Iduoko, and Bar Daniel Atemie, congratulated the new Abolga Council Boss and expressed confidence in his capabilities to dispense good governance and democratic dividends in the area.
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the outcome of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, and commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience which made it possible for his candidates to win the elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the commendation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the Governor demonstrated uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience during the build-up and countdown to the elections which paved the way for the successful conduct of the elections and emergence of his candidates as winners of the elections, describing the elections as generally peaceful.
He noted that many people in the State did not give Governor Fubara a chance of successfully weathering the political storm during the build-up to the elections, as they had thought that the entire process was going to be a disaster.
Osumah thanked Governor Fubara for overcoming all odds and ensuring that the entire process was hitch-free, peaceful and credible, describing the successful outcome of the elections as a victory for democracy.
The labour leader also condemned in strong terms the invasion of local government councils in the State by political thugs, shortly after the successful swearing-in of elected council chairmen by the Governor, and expressed joy that Governor Fubara has constituted a panel of inquiry over the development, contending that all those responsible for the mayhem inflicted on the affected councils would pay dearly for their actions.
Osumah equally applauded Governor Fubara for proving that he is truly the Chief Security Officer of the State, before, during and after the elections, adding that it was a great feat that the elections were successful, peaceful and hitch-free without the prying eyes of the police.
He noted that the Governor’s detractors had taken his peaceful disposition for granted, and affirmed that Governor Fubara has truly proved to the world that he is capable of ruling Rivers State.
He, however, appealed to the elected council chairmen and councillors to continue to support Governor Fubara and work for the collective good of Rivers people, insisting that the enemies have not yet gone to sleep but are still awake, to cause more havoc to the State.
He said the Governor as a former civil servant who rose from the ranks to the top echelon of the Civil Service, would continue to enjoy the support of civil servants in the State, and expressed optimism that his administration is going to implement the new minimum wage, as the Governor had promised, particularly now that the local government elections are over.
Osumah carpeted the Inspector General of Police over his roles in the political crisis rocking the State, saying instead of protecting democracy by virtue of his professional calling, he is rather destroying democracy.
According to him, the IGP has a question to answer over his roles in the Rivers political crisis, and has a lot of explanations to make to President Bola Tinubu.
He expressed delight that police operatives several council secretariats in the State, describing it as a welcomed development.
The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.