Appeal Court extends ruling on Secondus’ bid to stop PDP convention

Edo chapter promises peaceful exercise
The Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal is yet to give its decision on a motion filed by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.

Secondus had through his counsel, Payo Oyetubo, urged the court to suspend the October 30 and October 31 national convention of the party and declare him the right person to preside over the exercise.

The court, after hearing submissions by parties, fixed Thursday, October 28 to hear and rule on the motion for an Interim Injunction brought by Secondus against the PDP and others.

When the matter came up, yesterday, six other members of the PDP drew the attention of the court to their application for joinder, which was not opposed by counsel to Secondus and was subsequently granted by the three-man panel of the Court of Appeal

However, the defendants’ counsel, including those who joined in the suit opposed to the motion for an Interim Injunction by Secondus’ counsel seeking to stop the PDP’s forthcoming national convention, asked for time to respond to the process.

The three-man appeal panel led by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, after listening to the argument from the parties, ordered counsel to the plaintiff to serve the process on the defendant’s counsel within 24 hours.

Tsammani also urged the respondents’ counsels to respond within 24 hours and adjourned till October 28.

MEANWHILE, the Edo State chapter of the PDP has said the forthcoming national convention will not only rebuild the party but promises to produce a new crop of leaders that will rescue the country from the ineptitude of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Edo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Nehikhare, disclosed this to newsmen at a press conference in Benin City ahead of preparation for the convention.

Nehikhare assured that the party is prepared for the exercise, expressing optimism that the state’s delegation is ready and will be part of the epoch-making event.

He said the PDP is a very disciplined and cohesive party, which would be electing new executives to pilot its affairs as the 2023 general election draws near.

Nehikhare noted that one of the failures of the ruling APC is the insecurity ravaging all geopolitical zones in the country.

He said the PDP is committed to ensuring sustainable development and peaceful coexistence when it takes over power.