PDP set to suspend Governor Wike, Court rules

Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been informed by a Federal High Court in Abuja that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds the authority to suspend or expel him, provided the action aligns with legal procedures.

Justice James Omotosho made this declaration on Wednesday while delivering a judgement on a suit filed by Wike.

Prior to the 2023 general elections, Wike sought legal protection against punitive actions from the PDP without due process. Named as respondents in the suit were the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and its National Executive Committee (NEC).

In the suit submitted by his lawyer, Joshua Musa, SAN, on February 2, 2023, Wike also implicated the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as the 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

Wike appealed to the court to enforce his fundamental right to freedom of association, which he alleged was at risk from the respondents. However, the PDP, represented by Johnson Usman, SAN, countered Wike’s claim, stating that the accusations were based on conjecture without tangible evidence. Usman asserted that the party had not contemplated disciplinary actions against members despite their engagement in anti-party activities.

The PDP lawyer also argued that members who willingly join an association must adhere to its rules. He asserted that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle this matter, which he described as speculative, as Wike should have first exhausted the party’s internal mechanisms.

Justice Omotosho, in his judgement, agreed that the PDP had the right to discipline its members according to its regulations. However, he underscored the necessity for members to be given the opportunity to defend themselves before any disciplinary action is taken. The Judge stated that the party’s National Chairman and his representatives are duty-bound to uphold constitutional democracy.