A Rivers State High Court has dismissed an attempt by sacked PDP executives loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to challenge their removal from office. Justice Stephen Jumbo rejected the motion seeking leave to appeal his January 13 judgment that nullified the party’s congresses and ousted the Wike-aligned leadership.
The court ruled that since the PDP had already filed an appeal against the original verdict, the former executives – including Chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron – lacked standing to pursue separate appeals as “interested parties.” The judgment had originally stemmed from a suit by William Fialasoika and 24 others challenging the legitimacy of the 2024 congresses that produced the Wike faction.
This latest development deepens the political crisis in Rivers PDP, coming three months after the court invalidated the party’s state, LGA and ward executives. Legal analysts suggest the ruling strengthens Governor Sim Fubara’s position in the ongoing battle for control of the state’s PDP structure. The sacked executives may now pin their hopes on the party’s pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.
