National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, and the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike

THE crisis of confidence between some members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the National Chairman, Uche Secondus, took a turn for the worse on Monday.

This followed the decision of a Rivers State High Court to grant an interim injunction restraining Secondus, from parading himself as chairman and member of the PDP.

Justice O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court, sitting in Port Harcourt, granted the order.

This was sequel to the consideration of an ex parte application in suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeabuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).

The judge, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction.

The order read in part, “that an order restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as a member of the 2nd defendant or the national chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the 2nd defendant or calling , attending or presiding over any meeting of the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 2nd defendant at the Ward, Local Government or State level or calling for any Ward, Local Government or State Congress of the 2nd defendant or setting up committees for such Congresses or participating in any activity of the 2nd defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

Gbasam also granted the petitioners leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, all orders made by the court and all subsequent processes on the respondent by pasting same on his gate at No.1 William Jumbo Street, Old G.R.A Port Harcourt.

The judge further granted leave to serve by substituted means orders made by the court on the respondents by publishing the same in the Nation Newspaper.

The court also ordered the PDP to be served by substituted means.

The judge said “That an order be made and is hereby made granting leave for the commencement of this suit during the 2021 annual vacation of the High Court of Rivers State.

“That an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the first defendant (Secondus) from parading himself as a member of the second defendant (PDP) or National Chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the second defendant.

“Or calling for any ward, local government or state Congress of the second defendant or setting up committees for such congresses or participating in any activity of the second defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the second defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

When contacted, the Media Adviser to Secondus, Mr Ike Abonyi said, “The media office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party has been inundated with calls from media houses on a press statement sent to newsrooms by one Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assisatant on Media to the Rivers State Governor, Nysom Wike, announcing that ‘Court restrains Secondus from parading as National Chairman, member of the PDP.’

“If Secondus and the party are taken to court, they will defend themselves.

“PDP and Secondus are not afraid of court; this party is a child of history owned by Nigerians, bigger than any individual or group, including desperadoes.”