Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to restrict the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from suspending or expelling him for anti-party. 

The PDP, its NEC, NWC, national chairman Iyorchia Ayu, national secretary Samuel Anyanwo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were named as respondents in the lawsuit brought before Justice J.K. Omotosho. 

Mr Wike asked the court to declare that none of the respondents could take any disciplinary action on him while the originating summons was being decided.

Additionally, he got a court order allowing him to employ an alternative method of serving the 1st through 5th respondents in this lawsuit, specifically by posting all relevant court documents on the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He also asked the court to grant an order recognising his mode of serving the respondents the court processes as proper service. 

The outgoing governor is still at odds with the PDP and the party’s national leadership over his decision to pull his support for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, after Mr Abubakar defeated him at the primary election. 

The PDP’s decision to impose sanctions on disloyal members who opposed the party’s interests ahead of next month’s elections necessitated the filing of the suit.

Former Enugu State governor Chimaroke Nnamani and several other members were suspended by the party last month due to anti-party activities.

Mr Wike risks the same punishment due to his persistent anti-PDP rhetoric and failure to publicly endorse the party’s presidential candidate.