A Rivers States High Court has ordered Prince Uche Secondus to stop parading himself as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court similarly declared the suspension of Secondus as a member of the PDP by the Ward 5 executive committee of the party in Ikuru town in Andoni local council of the state, as valid, stating that it still subsists.
READ ALSO: Court Reinstates Secondus As PDP Chairman
Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court sitting in Port Harcourt, ratified the suspension of Secondus while delivering judgment in suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha (claimants) against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).
The judge said after careful review of the submissions made by the counsels of parties in the suit, he arrived at the conclusion that evidence presented by the claimants before the court clearly showed that Secondus was suspended by Ward 5 executive committee of the PDP in Ikuru town for anti-party activities on August 8, 2021, and that the Andoni local council office of the PDP wrote a letter of acceptance of the suspension on August 10.
He further explained that the claimants also provided evidence that the state chapter of PDP confirmed the suspension of Secondus on August 11, with a subsequent letter written to the Board of Trustee of the party on the August 13.
Justice Gbasam noted that the first defendant, who was represented by his counsel, Godfrey Uwalaka, never challenged his suspension by his ward.
According to him, the suit was not about the suspension of Secondus as national officer, but as a member of the PDP in his ward, which happens to be his root and foundation as a member of the party.
The judge explained that Article 53 of the PDP clearly stated that any member suspended could not participate in the affairs of the party when on suspension.
He declared that by the virtue of Secondus’ suspension as a member of the PDP in his ward, he has lost the right to function as national chairman of the party, declaring that any function carried out by him under suspension was invalid.
“I hereby hold that the court has jurisdiction to hear the suit. I hold, therefore, that his suspension and having been acknowledged by the party in the state, is valid. He shall not so act as national chairman. His suspension still subsists,” Justice Gbasam declared.
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