The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted on going ahead with its national convention scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, despite court orders.
A statement Monday by the spokesperson of the party’s caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said the PDP already had the nod of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for the convention.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn once again to another act of judicial recklessness by the Honourable Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Abang of the purported suspension of the PDP National Convention holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers on Wednesday the 17 of August 2016.
“We wish to however state that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt Rivers State has earlier in the day given a comprehensive Order wherein the Honourable Judge specifically ordered the PDP to proceed with the convention as scheduled without hindrance.
“Indeed his lordship while giving the Order mandated all relevant agencies including the Police, DSS and INEC to cooperate with the party in organizing a hitch free National Convention.
“You may also wish to note that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State gave an Interlocutory Order while Justice Okon Abang, Abuja, gave an Interim Order.
“The Order of Port Harcourt is clearly superior and earlier in time to the Interim Order given by Justice Okon Abang. In the light of the above, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a law abiding party is obeying the Order of the Port Harcourt, Federal High Court until set aside by any competent Court of jurisdiction.
“In view of the above, the 2016 Repeat National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will continue as scheduled as we welcome all delegates, party leaders, other critical stakeholders, INEC monitoring team and other friends of PDP to Port Harcourt, Rivers State while wishing all our members and supporters a successful National Convention”
No fewer than 90 aspirants will on Wednesday be jostling for the 19 vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Five aspirants are contesting for the chairmanship position. They are Chief Olabode George, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja and Mr. Jimi Agbaje.