Secondus loses bid to stop PDP convention

Uche Secondus, the suspended national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has lost his bid to stop the opposition party’s convention. 

Secondus had approached the court of appeal to challenge his removal as chairman.

He also sought an order of injunction restraining the PDP from holding its national convention scheduled for October 30th and 31st.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, a three-member panel unanimously dismissed the application, which was filed on October 14, 2021, for lacking in merit.

Gabriel Kolawale, who read the panel’s decision, said the suit by Secondus was an afterthought and abuse of court process.

Kolawole held that the attempt by the applicant to suspend the planned convention is an act of “self-induced urgency” to disrupt an ongoing lawful process of the party.

He wondered why the applicant waited for too long to seek the stoppage of the process which had been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judge noted that Secondus did not oppose the notice of the convention written by the acting chairman of the party to INEC neither did he oppose INEC’s response to the party.

The court granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the right to hold its national convention as scheduled.

“The appellant’s notice of motion filed on 27th October, 2021 fails and it is hereby dismissed,” the court held.

“By the result of this decision, the sixth respondent is empowered on the authority of the court’s decision to convene and to hold its national convention without let or hindrance.

“There shall be no order for costs.”

Tayo Oyetibo, counsel to Secondus, said the outcome of the main appeal, which is challenging the removal of his client as chairman of the PDP, would determine whether or not they will appeal.

TheCable had reported how multiple court orders were issued against Secondus resulting in his removal from office, and Yemi Akinwonmi, deputy national chairman (south), was appointed in his stead.