Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to show cause why the mandate of the party’s South-South Zonal Executive led by Chief Dan Orbih should not be upheld.
The judge gave the order in an ex parte motion filed by Orbih and his 22-member zonal executive against the PDP.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, and the Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee in the South-South, Emma Ogidi, were listed as respondents in the suit.
Justice Ekwo in his ruling also ordered that the PDP should be served with the court processes through substituted means through a national newspaper just or be pasted at its national secretariat.
The order followed the decision of a section of the national leadership to appoint a caretaker executive committee for the zone.
In their prayers, the plaintiffs asked the court to restrain the respondents or their agents from breaking into or taking over the offices at the South-South Zonal Secretariat.
They also asked the court to prevent the respondents from taking any steps to remove them from their offices pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The judge adjourned the case till March 24.