The Court of Appeal in Abuja made a significant ruling on Friday, reversing a controversial lower court decision that had barred key figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from participating in party meetings.
This decision lifted the restrictions imposed on former National Chairman Uche Secondus, sacked Rivers Governor Celestine Omehia, and ex-Deputy Speaker Austin Opara, allowing them to rejoin the political fray.
In a unanimous verdict delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld the appeals of these three party leaders, highlighting the merit in their claims.
This legal drama began when Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court issued an order preventing Secondus, Omehia, and Opara from attending any meetings of the PDP’s National Executive Committee, effectively sidelining them from crucial party discussions.
However, the Court of Appeal determined that decisions regarding party membership and meeting attendance are internal matters best left to the political party itself.
The appellate court went further, asserting that such disputes are beyond the jurisdiction of the judiciary, declaring the earlier proceedings null and void. It firmly maintained that the Federal High Court should never have entertained those cases, emphasizing that the internal affairs of political parties are not a matter for the courts.
With this ruling, the path is cleared for Secondus, Omehia, and Opara to reintegrate into the PDP,
More details to follow…
