The embattled former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Uche Secondus, has lost the appeal challenging his removal from office and also to stop the forthcoming PDP convention, scheduled to hold October 30th and 31st.
Secondus, following multiple court orders issued against him by PDP, which resulted in his removal from office, took to the Court of Appeal, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to challenge his suspension, and consequently, his removal from office as the party’s chairman.
However, at the Friday, October 29 court proceedings, Justice Gabriel Kolawale, after reading the three-member panel unanimous decision, set up to look into the case, dismissed Uche Secondus’s application, filed on October 14, 2021, on the grounds that, it lacks merit.
Justice Kolawale, upheld that, Mr. Secondus suit was an afterthought, and an abuse of court process.
Kolawole also affirmed that, Uche Secondus attempt to suspend the planned PDP convention, is an act of what he called, a ‘self-induced urgency’ meant to disrupt an ongoing lawful process of the party.
Justice Gabriel Kolawale wondered why the applicant (Uche Secondus), waited for so long before seeking the stoppage of the party’s convention, which had been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and granted by the electoral body.
The Judge again, queried Secondus’ decision for not opposing the notice of the convention, or oppose INEC’s decision soon after it was agreed upon.
Justice Gabriel Kolawale, therefore, granted the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), the absolute right to hold its national convention as earlier scheduled; after dismissing appellant (Secondus) notice of motion, filed on 27th October, 2021.
Justice Kolawole emphasized,
“By the result of this decision, the sixth respondent is empowered on the authority of the court’s decision, to convene and to hold its national convention, without let or hindrance.
Counsel to Uche Secondus, Tayo Oyetibo, said, other circumstantial factors, would determine whether or not they will re-appeal the removal of Secondus from office.
Since the the suspension and removal of Uche Secondus from office, Yemi Akinwonmi, PDP deputy national chairman (south), has been appointed to replace Mr. Secondus.