A fresh crisis has hit the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, despite the congresses conducted by the party last week in the state that produced a new chairman in Prince Ken Emeakayi.
The Chief Ejike Oguebego faction came up with a subsisting court order Friday, given by the federal High court in Portharcourt in 2013, declaring that status quo antebellum be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Also, the faction presented a copy of the letter written by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signed by one Musa Adamu (the secretary to the commission, to (PDP) national chairman, dated 23rd October, 2014 recognising Oguebego and his group as a result of letters of court orders, rulings and consent judgments in which INEC was not a party.
The letter by INEC was entitled “RE: current status of the leadership of the people’s Democratic Party in Anambra state” which was made available to reporters yesterday in Awka.
The federal High case was between Ejike Oguebego, chief Gilbert Okoye as PDP chairman and secretary respectively and Hon Chuks Okoye, as legal adviser as plaintiffs, against PDP, Anambra state chapter, INEC, Ogonna .O. Ogonna and Osy Nsugbe (youth leader) as defendants.
It was in suit no: FHC/PH/CS/213/2013 before Justice I. L Ojukwu, declivered on 31st day of May 2013 and Justice S A Aliyu delivered his own on 22nd day of August, 2013.
The plaintiffs had prayed the court for interlocutory injunction restraining the 1stdefendant whether by itself, privies, agents, servants assigns or whatever name they may be called from holding out, recognizing, announcing the name of, dealing with or doing anything whatsoever through Ken Emeakayi as he was expelled from the party as the chairman of PDP, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons.
Also, an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (INEC) from doing anything with Emeakayi pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons.
The plaintiffs were represented byJ.T.U Nnodum SAN, while PDP was represented by chief Tagbo Ike and INEC team of lawyers was led by Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN in opposing the application,
But the court ordered as follows “that parties are hereby ordered to maintain “status quo antebellum” pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter”
“That the parties especially the 1st and 2nd defendants are hereby ordered to comply and obey the orders of the court delivered on 31st day of May, 2013 by Hon justice I. L Ojukwu and 22nd day of August, 2013 by Hon justice S A Aliyu, forth with”
“That the 1st and 2nd defendants are hereby ordered to recognize and deal with the plaintiffs in all election matters in Anambra state, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter”
However, speaking further, Oguebego told reporters that the congress was a nullity, adding that their tenure was still subsisting until the order was vacated.
Oguebego, further said that their tenure would end in 17th March, 2016, adding that until then, the PDP in the state would start thinking of a fresh ward, local government and state congresses in Anambra state.
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