No Court Order Stopping PDP National Convention, Wike Declares

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, monday declared that the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scheduled for August 17 in Port Harcourt would go on as planned, saying that there was no court order stopping the party from going on with the convention.

The governor stated that the court was yet to hear the suit filed by embattled former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, challenging the holding of the National convention.

Addressing the South-south Executive Committee of the PDP at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said: “The court could not have sacked Senator Ahmed Makarfi because it cannot sit on appeal on the judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction.”
He added that there is an application to allow Senator Markafi to be joined as a party in the suit.

He said that the suit was adjourned to August 15.
According to him, the suit challenging the conduct of the national convention is yet to be entertained by the court.

Speaking further, the governor stated that the Edo State chapter of the PDP would be supported to win the state governorship election on September 10.

He said: “PDP in the South-south cannot be complete until we take over Edo State. Therefore, I urge INEC to conduct free and fair elections in Edo State and every other state where we have elections.

“I thank the party in Edo State for doing quite well in their campaigns. As an opposition party, they have promoted the party’s chances through committed campaigns.”

On the forthcoming national convention, he stated that the leaders of the PDP in the southern geo-political zone would meet last Thursday to determine the zoning of positions.

The governor expressed optimism that the PDP would emerge stronger from the current challenges as Nigerians are waiting for the party to provide leadership.

In his remarks, National Vice Chairman of PDP (South-south), Emma Ogidi, commended Wike for using the people’s mandate to transform Rivers State.

He described Wike as a complete party man who has helped in rebuilding the party through his engagements with party stakeholders across the country.

The South-south Executive Committee of the PDP also conferred an award of excellence on Wike.