The judgement was obtained after three applicants, Yahaya Usman, Abubakar Muhammad, and Bashar Suleman filed an ex parte application dated August 25, 2021, at the Kebbi State High Court for an order for stay of execution of the suspension order issued by the Rivers State High Court on Monday, August 23.

The presiding judge, Nusirat Umar ordered that the execution of a previous order barring Secondus from parading himself as national chairman be suspended, pending when the suit is heard and concluded.

Umar gave an order of interim injunction “staying the purported suspension of the first respondent pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice No. KB/HC/M.170/2021 now pending before this honourable court”.

The Judge also gave an “order granting leave to the first respondent (Uche Secondus) to continue exercising all the constitutional powers of the office of Chairman of PDP (second defendant ) as enshrined in both 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and the Peoples Democratic Party’s constitution pending the hearing and final determination of applicant’s motion on notice.”

The leadership crisis in PDP deepened in the last few days, with two of Mr Secodus’ deputies laying claim to his seat.

The judge gave the order following a suit filed against Secondus and the PDP by some members of the party identified as Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen, and Umezirike Onucha.

The judge in the ruling delivered today, August 23, ordered that Secondus should desist from trading himself as a member of the PDP (the second defendant). The judge also restrained Secondus from attending or presiding over any meeting of the PDP or any committee of the party at ward, local government or state government.

The court also barred Secondus from calling for any ward, local government, or state congress or setting up committees for such congresses or participating in any activity of the PDP whatsoever while on suspension as a member of PDP.

The court ordered that Secondus would remain suspended pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Gbasah also made an order granting leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, and all subsequent processes on Secondus and the PDP by pasting same on the gate of his residence at No 1 William Jumbo Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt and by publication in the Nation newspaper.

“That an order be made and is hereby made granting leave for the commencement of this suit during the 2021 annual vacation of the High Court of Rivers State.

That an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the first defendant (Secondus) from parading himself as a member of the second defendant (PDP) or National Chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the second defendant or calling, attending or presiding over any meeting of the second defendant or any committee of the second defendant at ward, local government or state level or calling for any ward, local government or state Congress of the second defendant or setting up committees for such congresses or participating in any activity of the second defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the second defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”the judge said

Secondus in the company of the PDP Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Peter Obi, Dino Melaye and other chieftains, took to the streets of Abuja to protest the January 14th judgement by the Supreme court nullifying Emeka Ihedioha’s election and replacing him with APC’s Hope Uzodinma

Reacting to the protest said the fact that the PDP members decided to hold the protest in Abuja showed they had an ulterior motive which was to topple the Buhari government. He said they should stop protesting as it was God who made him Governor.

He said “The motive of those who are wearing black, protesting around the country is not about the Imo State governorship election. If it is the Imo State governorship election, why are PDP members protesting in Abuja, Bayelsa and everywhere in the country? Why are they not protesting only in Imo State? PDP wants to overthrow the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. I, therefore, use this medium to call on all the security agencies to begin an investigation into the organised synchronised national crisis, which the PDP is plotting. I want you to keep supporting the government of President Buhari. You all know that I was the frontrunner candidate during the 2019 governorship election in Imo State. I did not challenge the election on the grounds of violence. I challenged the election on the grounds that INEC refused to accept the results of 388 polling units it accepted at the collation centres. The Tribunal did not understand our petition. The Appeal Court gave us a minority judgement, but the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, understood our petition and gave judgement in our favour. I am already the governor and I am in charge of Imo State Government House. Why would anybody challenge the integrity and wisdom of the Supreme Court justices? The Supreme Court justices gave us a majority judgement. The seven justices of the Supreme Court delivered their judgement in our favour. The same God who made me governor will sustain me. Nobody becomes governor without God’s approval. Don’t be afraid. I am in charge here and we will keep supporting and praying for our president to succeed.”

The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, spoke on Monday during a crucial meeting between the PDP National Working Committee and INEC leadership in Abuja.

He urged INEC to submit a legal framework for electronic voting to the National Assembly, adding that NASS should pass such a bill.

Secondus stated that electronic voting will enhance credible and transparent election as well as reducing violence, thuggery and other electoral malpractices.

He said Nigeria adopted election model of the United States, adding that the country should embrace all the aspects of the model that enhance transparent election.

According to him, it is imperative to adopt measures that would stop the hijack of electoral materials, and remove the influence of soldiers on election day.

Secondus said, “INEC must come out to submit this model to the NASS.

“We in the PDP are in the forefront for a legal framework for a free and fair election.

“All is not well with our country. We are sitting on a keg of gun powder.”