The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State took a decisive legal turn on Thursday as Barr. Steve Oruruo reaffirmed that a subsisting court judgment and the explicit provisions of the PDP Constitution have already settled the question of who leads the state chapter.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Friday, Oruruo stressed that the controversy generated by the Ibadan Convention—where a motion was moved to dissolve the Enugu State Executive Committee—directly contradicts a valid court judgment and therefore holds no legal weight.
He said the purpose of the briefing had become “compelling and pertinent… against the backdrop of the increasing volume of discordant tunes within the leadership of the PDP both at the national and sub-national levels.”
Court Judgment Recognises Oruruo as Chairman
Oruruo revealed that a binding and subsisting judgement of Enugu State High Court in Suit number E/1267/2025 had expressly reaffirmed him and Hon. Martins Onyeanwa Ugwuamadi-Eze as the substantive State Chairman and Secretary of the PDP in Enugu State.
According to him, this judgment was anchored on Sections 45(2–4) and 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, which clearly stipulate that upon the resignation or removal of a state chairman, the deputy chairman automatically assumes office.
He noted that the Federal High Court’s order was duly served on the PDP National Secretariat through the office of the immediate past Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum.
“This Order compelling the National Executive Committee of the party to immediately recognize my constitutional right and that of the secretary… was duly served,” he said.
The same order, he said, also restrained the National Executive Committee from appointing any other persons to occupy the offices of chairman or secretary, and further directed the former officeholders to hand over party records and property—an instruction they complied with.
Ibadan Convention Acted Outside Its Powers
Against this backdrop, Oruruo described the motion at the Ibadan Convention to dissolve the state executive as fundamentally illegal.
He said:
“The motion… was not only misguided and prejudiced but a cruel travesty of justice.”
He questioned the validity of the move, noting that the same officials purportedly dissolved were accredited and allowed to vote during the convention, despite their positions being affirmed by both party constitution and court judgment.
Oruruo insisted that the convention’s action is void ab initio because it violates both a clear judicial order and the explicit constitutional provisions governing leadership succession in the party.
He stated bluntly:
“Whoever purportedly dissolved the Executive Committee of the Enugu PDP… is in clear contravention of the law and in contempt of an Order of Court.”
“I Am Both De Facto and De Jure Chairman”
Reaffirming the legal basis of his position, Oruruo declared:
“Make no mistake about this; I am both the de facto and de jure State Chairman of Enugu State PDP and no fairytale can distort this fact.”
He emphasized that the legitimacy of his leadership is grounded in a court judgment, constitutional succession, and a duly conducted state congress held on August 31, 2024, which produced the current executive.
Illegal ‘State Committee’ Dismissed
Oruruo also dismissed reports of a self-appointed “state committee” claiming authority over the PDP in Enugu, calling it an attempt to undermine a legally recognized leadership structure.
He described the group as:
“a gathering of questionable elements… pegged against all known principles, entrenched values and vision of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
He added that its emergence reflects a broader descent into illegality within certain circles of the party and warned that such actions constitute a “colossal national liability.”
Warning on Contempt of Court
Issuing a final caution, Oruruo said:
“Any other person who parades himself or herself as the State Chairman or Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Enugu State Chapter is in contempt of the judgment of the court, and contempt proceedings will be initiated… with an attendant severe consequence.”
He urged party members to remain vigilant as efforts to undermine the court-backed leadership persist.
