- Says interlocutory order superior to interim order
The Peoples Democratic Party on Monday night said its planned convention in Port Harcourt would hold as scheduled.
The PDP was reacting to a Federal High Court order that suspended the convention by Justice Okon Abang.
A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, described the Abuja court judgment as judicial recklessness.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn, once again, to another act of judicial recklessness by the Honourable Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Abang of the purported suspension of the PDP National Convention holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers on Wednesday the 17 of August 2016.
“We wish to, however, state that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt Rivers State had earlier in the day given a comprehensive Order, wherein the Honourable Judge specifically ordered the PDP to proceed with the convention as scheduled without hindrance. Indeed his lordship, while giving the Order, mandated all relevant agencies, including The Police, DSS and INEC to cooperate with the Party in organizing a hitch free National Convention.
“You may also wish to note that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, gave an Interlocutory Order while Justice Okon Abang, Abuja, gave an Interim Order.
“The order of Port Harcourt is clearly superior and earlier in time to the Interim Order given by Justice Okon Abang.
“In the light of the above, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a law abiding Party, is obeying the Order of the Port Harcourt, Federal High Court until set aside by any competent Court of jurisdiction.
“In view of the above, the 2016 Repeat National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will continue as scheduled as we welcome all Delegates, Party leaders, other critical stakeholders, INEC monitoring team and other friends of PDP to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while wishing all our members and supporters a successful National Convention”.
