Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, in an ex-parte suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is seeking the protection of the court from expulsion by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor in the suit sought protec tion from the threat of either being suspended or expelled from the PDP.
The presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice James Omotosho, at the hearing of the motion on Tuesday, ordered all parties to the suit to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Justice Omotosho was said to have observed that “any action or step made to make the outcome of the motion on notice dated February 2nd, 2023 futile, will be a nullity.”
The Judge, thereafter, adjourned the case to March 6 for the hearing of the suit.
Counsel to Governor Wike had informed the court that the respondents just served him with a counter affidavit to the suit and that he needed time to respond.
The respondents in the suit were identified as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Working Committee, PDP National Executive Committee, PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The respondents, in their counter affidavit, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, arguing that the matter is internal affair of the party, pointing out that Wike lacked a reasonable cause of action. They urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Governor Wike, leading the PDP G5 who are protesting in the party and demanding the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Ayu, after the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate, had at different times made the vaunt that he will take certain political actions outside the party’s interest and nothing will happen. He also dared the PDP leadership to expel him and see what will happen.
Meanwhile, as it appears that the game is getting hotter and getting to the decisive stage, Governor Wike had run to the court to seek protection from being sanctioned for anti-party activities and threats to work against the interest of the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.