The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its Governors, National Working Committee (NWC), and Board of Trustees (BoT) from dissolving or interfering with the Pro-Wike Executive Committees in Rivers State.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday, came in response to a suit filed by Aaron Chukwuemeka, leader of the PDP Rivers State Executive Committee, along with other state, local government, and ward members.
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The court directed that the leadership of the PDP EXCO in Rivers State—loyal to Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor—should not be dissolved by the PDP national body, governors, or BoT.
The ruling effectively prohibits the formation of any temporary committees to replace the current leadership.
This decision comes amid an ongoing rift between Wike and the incumbent Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, with tensions flaring within the party.
The court’s order also prevents the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any new individuals or groups apart from those duly elected in the state, local, and ward elections held between July and August 2024.
The plaintiffs, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Joshua Musa, argued that the PDP was planning to dissolve the legally constituted EXCOs and replace them with temporary committees. They claimed that such actions would result in unfair treatment and financial losses for them.
The court has scheduled a hearing on the case for October 4, 2024.
