By Desmond Ukandu (Politics Editor)
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has ordered the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to maintain the 'status quo ante' in the intractable leadership tussle rocking the party in Ebonyi state, South East Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Invariably, the Appeal Court's ruling recognised, in the interim, the position of Mr Tochuku Okorie, as the chairman of the PDP in the state.
Delivering judgement on a motion for stay of execution and appeal filed by the PDP and Tochuku Okorie against the judgement of His Lordship, Justice A.R Mohammed of Abuja High court on April 13, 2022, the Appeal court stated that Tochuku Okorie is still the rightful chairman of the party in the state.
The Appeal court, by it's ruling, automatically nullified the claims by a factional chairman of the party, Silas Onu, that he was chairman of the Ebonyi PDP. It however directed Mr. Tochuku Okorie, to resume his duties as elected chairman of the party until the case is finally determined.
The Justice of the Appeal court lambasted Mr Onu, a lawyer by profession, for being "desperate" and disrespectful of the Court by assuming the chairmanship position of the Ebonyi PDP notwithstanding the pendency of the motion in the Court of Appeal.
The PDP Ebonyi State and Tochuku Okorie had filed an appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which earlier removed Mr Tochukwu Okorie as the Chairman of the Party and directed PDP to recognise Mr Silas Onu as the state chairman of the party in Ebonyi.
But Onu, notwithstanding the pendency of the Appeal and it's accompanying motion for a stay of execution, assumed the position of the Ebonyi PDP State Chairman, conducting and directing the affairs of the party, with the alleged tacit support of the party at the national level.
According to a party source, Onu's actions were allegedly based on the advice of the National Legal Adviser of the party, who, though, was aware of the motion for execution and Appeal before the Appellate Court, still went ahead to interpret the judgement of the lower court to the party in favour of Silas Onu.
The Court of Appeal while granting the motion for the stay of execution with effect from April 13, when the matter was brought before it, in Motion number 444, lambasted Mr Onu for disrespecting the court with his desperate actions.
Lawyers to Tochuku Okorie told journalists after the court session, that the implications of the Appeal Court judgement are that all actions taken by Mr Silas Onu since April 13, are now declared null and void.
Such actions may include the nomination forms and other legal documents Onu might have endorsed for aspirants to the various positions in the party as the chairman of the party in the state before now. NNL.
