By Hillary Asemota
Following the ouster verdict delivered on Monday by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, via an interim injunction restraining the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Media office of Secondus has described the process that led to the ouster as an illegality even as Secondus has resisted the ouster move.
In a reaction, made available to the media, by Mr. Ike Abonyi, he averred that the office has been inundated with calls from media houses on a press statement sent to newsrooms by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assisatant Media to the Rivers state Governor, Bar Nysom Wike announcing that “Court Restrains Secondus from Parading himself as National Chairman, Member of PDP.”
Abonyi, said: “If Secondus and the party are taken to court they will defend themselves.
“It’s disheartening that the interim order of court used in removing the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,Justice Walter Onnoghen unilaterally in January, 2019 for which PDP vehemently condemned is resurrecting again from Port Harcourt.
“PDP and Secondus are not afraid of court, this party is a child of history, owned by Nigerians, bigger than any individual including desperadoes.
Recall that a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Monday issued an interim injunction restraining Prince Uche Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In granting the order, Justice. O. Gbasam, portends that following a suit number: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus as the first defendant and the PDP as the second defendant.
According to him, after the reading of 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 restraining Prince Uche Secondus from parading as the National Chairman of the party
“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.” The order stated.
The judge also granted 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 same in the newspaper.
Also recall that PDP has been been neck-deep and thorn by crisis following calls by some prominent members that Secondus, should resign, in which he has remained averse to and adamant.
In December 2017, the Secondus-led National Working Committee members were elected for a 4 -year term.
