Secondus cautions PDP against holding national convention

Suspended national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has warned the party against holding its national convention scheduled to take place on the 30th and 31st of October, 2021.

In a letter addressed to the Acting Chairman, Yemi Akinwonmi, and dated 21st of October 2021, Secondus argued that because of the pendency of his case at the Court of Appeal, all preparations for the convention amounted to contempt of court.

“Having been served with an application seeking to restrain the holding of its national convention pending the determination of the appeal filed by Secondus, the PDP would be embarking upon a collision course with the court if it proceeds to hold the convention before the hearing and determination of the application.

“Should such contumacious conduct of holding the national convention before the hearing and determination of the application be embarked upon by the party however, we shall not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against all national officers that are responsible for such conduct of contempt of court.

“We would, on our part, swiftly take steps to invoke the jurisdiction of the court to nullify any decision, action or step taken at such convention,” the suspended chairman said.

The letter which was written on behalf of Secondus by his lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, drew attention of PDP to the fact that as a result of the judgment delivered by the High Court of Rivers State whereby Secondus was, inter alia, restrained from performing the functions of the office of national chairman of the PDP, an appeal has been filed and entered against the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division.

“In addition, an application on notice has been filed in which Secondus is seeking, inter alia, the following:
•An order of injunction restraining the PDP, the 6th respondent herein, whether by itself, its officers, servants, agents and or representatives from holding or conducting its national convention scheduled for 30th and 31st October 2021 or any other date, pending the hearing and final determination of this appeal.

“An order that the parties to this appeal, particularly the appellant/applicant and the respondent (PDP) shall maintain the status quo ante as at 22 August 2021, when appellant/applicant was occupying the office of national chairman of PDP, pending the hearing and final determination of this appeal.” In the letter, Secondus said the application had been served on Akinwonmi and other respondents in the appeal.”