A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued a restraining order against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its South-South Zonal Congress.
The court’s decision was in response to a suit filed by Tony Uchechukwu Ehogu and Field Nkor, candidates for the scheduled congress.
Justice G.V. Obomanu, presiding over the case, directed the PDP and its National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, to maintain the status quo as of February 20, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
The court’s ruling effectively puts on hold the PDP’s plans to hold the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State, or anywhere else in Nigeria, initially scheduled for February 22, 2025.
The claimants in the suit marked PHC/551/CS/2025 are Hon. Tonu Uchechukwu Ejiogu and Hon. Field Nkor, who are members of the PDP in Rivers State, while the defendant are the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the Chief Dan Orbih.
Justice G.V. Obomanu gave the order following submissions by the counsel for the claimants, Emeka D.A. Ojoko.
The court ordered the defendants, along with their agents and representatives, to halt any preparations for the congress until the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
Obomanu also mandated all parties involved to maintain the status quo as of February 20, 2025, pending further court proceedings.
The court further granted the claimants’ permission to serve legal documents on the PDP and Orbih through substituted means, including posting notices at the South-South Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt and publishing the notice in a widely read national newspaper.
The order read in part: “That Order of an Interim Injunction be and is hereby made restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their organs, agents, servants, assigns and privies from conducting the 1st Defendant/Respondent’s South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross Rivers State or anywhere else in Nigeria on 22nd February 2025 or any other date whatsoever, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
“That an Order is hereby made directing the parties to maintain the status Quo ante litem as at 20th February 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
“That leave be and is hereby granted to the Claimants/Applicants to serve the Originating Processes and other subsequent processes to be filed in this Suit on the Defendants/Respondents by Substituted Means,to wit, by pasting same at the gate of the Ist Defendant/Respondent’s South-South Zonal Headquarters.”
Obomanu, however, adjourned to matter to February 28, 2025, for a hearing on the Motion on Notice.
