‘Kangaroo Judgment’ – Wike’s Allies Reject Court Ruling Nullifying Rivers PDP Congresses

The Rivers State faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticized the recent court ruling nullifying its congresses, calling it a “kangaroo judgment.”

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, announced that the party’s legal team is reviewing the judgment and plans to file an appeal immediately.

“Our lawyers are studying the kangaroo judgment, and the party will immediately file an appeal,” he said.

Naijaonpoint reports that the controversial ruling, delivered by Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court, nullified the PDP’s Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses held on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024.

The court also barred the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executives, elected during these congresses, from functioning in their leadership capacities.

This judgment followed an interlocutory injunction in a suit filed by legal practitioners Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and others.

Despite the ruling, the pro-Wike faction insists the congresses were conducted in compliance with legal requirements.

Yowika cited a prior ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which authorized the congresses and restrained security agencies and other entities from interfering with the process.

“Justice Lifu’s ruling explicitly directed the acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, to proceed with the congresses as scheduled,” Yowika stated.

Yowika highlighted that Justice Lifu’s ruling also required adherence to the party’s guidelines and timetable while disqualifying individuals who failed to obtain nomination forms within the stipulated deadline.

The PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, had supported the application leading to Justice Lifu’s decision.

Addressing the High Court ruling by Justice Jumbo on January 13, 2025, Yowika urged party members across the state to remain calm as the appeal process begins.