PDP convention: Court to rule on Secondus’ appeal Friday

The court of appeal sitting in Port Harcourt says it will deliver a ruling on Friday in an appeal filed by Uche Secondus, suspended chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Secondus is seeking to halt the party’s national convention scheduled for October 30 and 31, 2021.

A three-member panel of justices led by Haruna Tsammani, reserved ruling after Tayo Oyetibo, counsel to Secondus, and 11 other respondent counsel adopted their final written addresses on Thursday.

Tsammani warned the media to refrain from disseminating information that did not transpire in court.

“We are reserving ruling on this matter for tomorrow, Friday, by 12 noon. Nobody has said anything about setting aside the application,” he said

“I must say this to the media. When you are reporting issues like this, make sure you report accurately. There is this piece of information flying around about the decision of this court.

“If you didn’t get the correct information or details, come to the court. There are people here to help you out. Don’t report something that was not there. Let us help each other. We need peace in this country.”

Among multiple court orders issued against him, a high court in Rivers state, on September 10, restrained Secondus from performing the functions of the office of the national chairman of the PDP.

This resulted in his removal from office, and Yemi Akinwonmi, deputy national chairman (south), was appointed in his stead.

Aggrieved, Secondus approached the court of appeal seeking to upturn the decision of the high court.

Pending the determination of the appeal, Secondus is praying the appellate court for an order of injunction restraining the PDP, “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”.