The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding ward congresses in various wards across Rivers State, defying two court orders prohibiting the exercise.

At the PDP Secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, party members were seen collecting materials for the congresses in their respective wards before heading to their various councils.

This defiance comes despite Justice Charles Wali’s order on Friday, which prohibited the PDP, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu from conducting ward, local government, and state congresses in Rivers State until the court hears and determines the suit before it.

The suit, filed by at least one PDP member from each of the 23 Local Government Areas, challenges the conduct of the congress.

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

Earlier in July, Justice Sobere Biambo issued an initial order in response to a suit by David Omereji and 10 others against the PDP and its national leaders, stopping the congress scheduled for July 27 or any other date until the determination of the motion on notice.

However, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a counter order allowing the PDP to proceed with the congresses.

In this ruling, Justice Peter Lifu barred the DSS, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seven others from stopping, truncating, or disrupting the congresses.

Currently, there are conflicting orders regarding the PDP congresses in Rivers State.

While two orders from the High Court in Rivers State halted the congresses, a Federal High Court order permitted the PDP to continue with its activities.

The ward congresses are scheduled to commence on July 27 across the country, followed by local government congresses on August 26, and state congresses in September.

These congresses aim to elect new officers to manage the PDP at the ward, local government, and state levels in Rivers State. (Saturday Tribune)

Update news