Abuja, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), preventing them from interfering with the upcoming People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Congresses in Rivers State.
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Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling, allowing the PDP to proceed with the scheduled elections for new officers at ward, local government, and state levels.
Legal Background
The ruling came in response to an ex-parte application filed by six PDP members from Rivers State. These members sought to prevent the DSS, Police, and INEC from disrupting the congresses, which are intended to elect ad-hoc and national delegates in accordance with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines.
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Previously, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had barred the PDP from conducting its congresses. However, Justice Lifu’s ruling supersedes this, enabling the PDP to carry out the congresses as planned.
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Court’s Directive
Justice Lifu emphasized that the PDP and its national officers must adhere strictly to the party’s guidelines and the schedule of activities for the congresses. He also prohibited the PDP from permitting individuals who did not obtain nomination forms within the specified timeframe to run for any elective offices or delegate positions.
Next Steps
The court has scheduled a hearing for August 15, where all parties will present their defenses. The six PDP members who filed the application were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, K. C. O. Njemanze.
