Court bars INEC, PDP from recognising Ebonyi caretaker committee

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakiliki has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) from recognizing the Steve Oruruo-led Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also barred from recognizing the caretaker committee is the national leadership of the PDP.

The court, presided by Justice Hillary Oshomah, gave the order while ruling on a motion on notice filled in a suit by a former state chairman of the party, Silas Ọnụ against the party and INEC.

It said the order will subsist pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons in the matter.

The party has been embroiled in crisis which started in the lead up to the 2023 general elections and which affected its chances during the election.

The crisis has continued unabated long after the elections leading to serious factionalisation of the party with many key chieftains dumping the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, as peace was being expected in the party, the National Working Committee appointed a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party with an Enugu State indigene, Steve Oruruo, appointed chairman of the committee.

This caused fresh crisis in the party with more bigwigs like Ex-Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim crossing over to the APC in the last two weeks.

In the motion on notice filed on June 20, 2024, one of the aggrieved stakeholders, Onu, had prayed the court for an order restraining the PDP from appointing the Chairman, Secretary and Members of the Caretaker Committee pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

He also prayed the court for an order barring PDP and INEC from recognizing anyone appointed as Chairman, Secretary and Members of Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi State Chapter, Caretaker Committee by the National Organizing Secretary pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

When the matter came up for hearing on 19th of July, counsel to the PDP, Godwin Ngwuta, told the court that the party is not inclined to oppose the application.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Oshomah granted the prayers of the applicant and barred INEC and the PDP from recognizing the Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee of the party.

He said: “That the 1st and 2nd Defendants are by Order of this Honourable Court barred from recognizing anyone appointed as Chairman, Secretary and Members of Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi State Chapter, Caretaker Committee by the National Organizing Secretary pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons”.

Justice Oshomah further ordered all parties in the matter “to take note of the pendency of this action and maintain status quo ante bellum by the virtue of the doctrine of lis pendis and not to embark on any act or conduct capable of destroying the res and subject matter of this action”.