The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from suspending or expelling Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike from the party.
The judge, James Omotosho, gave the order on Monday following an ex parte application filed by Mr Wike against the PDP on 2 February.
The respondents in the suit are the PDP; its National Working Committee; National Executive Committee; National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, and the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
In his application, Wike asked the court to order the respondents to maintain the status quo and stay all actions relating to the threat to suspend or expel him from the party pending the determination of the matter, amongst others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was named as the sixth respondent in the matter.
The judge after reading the affidavit in support of the ex parte motion deposed to by Precious Ikpe and filed at the Court Registry and after hearing, granted Mr Wike’s reliefs as sought.
Recall that Wike, a member of the PDP, who lost the party’s presidential primary to Atiku leads the G5 – a group of five PDP governors who are aggrieved with the party leadership.
Other members of the G5 are Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpaeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
The governors had requested the exit of the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, so that a southerner can lead the party for the sake of a “regional balance.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
