Rivers PDP Rejects Ibadan Convention, Labels Exercise Illegal
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has dismissed Saturday’s national convention in Ibadan as unlawful, insisting that any resolutions reached at the gathering are null and void.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika, the Rivers chapter commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for staying away from the convention, describing the commission’s decision as a firm stand in defence of democratic norms and the rule of law.
According to the statement, two Federal High Court orders had explicitly restrained the PDP from convening the exercise, even as a High Court in Ibadan issued a conflicting judgment allowing it to proceed. Despite the legal uncertainty, the party went ahead with electing new national officials and dissolving certain state executives.
Yowika criticised the organisers for flouting subsisting court orders, calling the convention a “sham” and an affront to due process. He maintained that INEC’s non-participation signalled respect for lawful directives, even in the face of political pressure.
The Rivers PDP expressed optimism that the judiciary would ultimately invalidate the convention, urging members to remain patient and trust the ongoing legal processes.
“The ill-advised convention cannot withstand legal scrutiny as it is already sub judice at the Court of Appeal. We rest our faith solely on the judiciary and urge all members to do the same,” the statement added.
