Court Extends Order Stopping PDP From Suspending Wike

The order prohibiting the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from suspending or expelling Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers from the party has been extended by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho issued the directive on Tuesday, after the governor’s counsel, Dr. Joshua Musa, SAN, and the PDP and others’ lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, agreed to argue their case on March 6.

On February 2, Justice Omotosho issued a restraining order against the party and others listed in response to Wike’s motion dated February 2.

Others who have joined the FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023 suit include its National Working Committee, NWC, and National Executive Committee, NEC, as well as the PDP’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

The governor is requesting that an order be issued directing all parties to maintain the status quo and to stay all actions related to the threat to suspend or expel him from the party.

Wike also requested a court order granting him leave to serve the motion on notice, originating motion, and all other court processes in the suit on the first to fifth respondents by substituted means, which he accomplished by pasting all of the aforementioned processes at the PDP National Secretariat.

After hearing from Wike’s lawyer, Dr. J. Y. Musa, SAN, Justice Omotosho granted all of the requested reliefs.

“That leave is hereby granted to the applicant (Wike) to serve the originating motion, motion on notice, and all other processes of this court in this suit on the 1st to 5th respondents by substituted means to wit, by pasting all the said processes of court on PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.