A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered all parties involved in the suit seeking to stop the upcoming convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to maintain the status quo until the matter is fully resolved.
The directive was issued by Justice James Omotosho, who cautioned that none of the parties should take any action that could compromise the ongoing case.
The court’s decision came after one of the PDP’s counsel, Chris Uche SAN, informed the judge that his client had been constrained by the pending suit and requested an accelerated hearing. Justice Omotosho, in response, assured all parties that the court’s judgment would be delivered before the end of October, emphasizing that he would not tolerate any form of delay or obstruction of justice.
“You and I, as ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit is filed and parties have been served, no party should take any step that affects the subject of the case,” Justice Omotosho stated. “The court must not be overreached, and if such an act occurs, the court has the power to nullify it. Let us all respect the law for the collective good.”
The judge further promised to deliver a prompt verdict, noting that he personally writes his judgments to ensure there are no delays. “In this particular case, I can assure you that the decision will be ready before the end of October. On the day of judgment, copies will be made available to all parties immediately,” he added.
Justice Omotosho subsequently scheduled the case for a definite hearing on Monday. The suit was filed by three aggrieved PDP members Austin Nwachukwu, the party’s Chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia PDP Chairman; and Turnah George, the PDP Secretary for the South South zone. The plaintiffs are seeking to stop the planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to emerge.
Defendants listed in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, national officers Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi, as well as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC). The judge also directed the PDP’s legal representatives, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN and Chris Uche SAN, to file their appearances formally to determine who holds the proper mandate to represent the party in the case.
