PDP G-5: Court Orders Parties To Maintain Status Quo

Afimag.com –

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again ordered that the status quo be maintained in the suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike over threats of expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pending hearing and determination of the matter.

The presiding judge, Justice Omotosho, said any contrary action or step taken that “goes against the outcome of the motion will be nullified”.

The case, which was filed on February 2, has subsequently been adjourned to March 6, after counsel to the governor told the court that the respondents had “just served” his client with a counter-affidavit, and requested for more time to respond.

Respondents in the suit are: the PDP and its National Working Committee; its National Executive Committee; the PDP National Chairman, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The respondents, in their counter-affidavit, are challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, and arguing that the matter is an “internal party affair” and as such, Mr Wike lacked a “reasonable cause of action”.

They further prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

Governor Wike had in an ex-parte application complained of threats by the leadership of the PDP to either suspend or expel him.