Court Bars INEC, PDP From Recognising Ebonyi Caretaker Committee

The Federal High Court, Abakaliki Division has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from recognising the Steve Oruruo-led Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee of the party.

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 has continued unabated leading to serious factionalisation of the party with many key chieftains dumping the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It would be recalled that the National Working Committee of the party had appointed a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party with an Enugu State indigene, Steve Oruruo as Chairman of the committee.

Mr. Onu on July 20, 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 the 1st, (PDP) and 2nd, (INEC) Defendants/Respondents from recognizing anyone appointed as Chairman, Secretary and Members of Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi State Chapter.

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Delivering his ruling, Justice Oshomah granted the prayers of the applicant and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the PDP itself from recognizing the Ebonyi State chapter Caretaker Committee of the party.

“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”

They are also not allowed to “take any step calculated to or with the potential of rendering nugatory the outcome or any decision of this Honourable Court on the substantive action”, he added.