The Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal has dismissed a suit by suspended national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus.

The PDP was also granted leave to proceed with its elective national convention scheduled for October 30 and October 31.

The panel of three judges led by Justice Haruna Tsammani found no merit in Mr Secondus’ appeal saying he voluntarily relinquished his office since he did not challenge his removal at ward and local government levels.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole who read the judgement on behalf of the panel members, ruled that Mr Secondus’ application was a distraction against the PDP in holding its convention.

Mr Kolawole upheld the judgment of the lower court, reiterating that Mr Secondus failed to join the acting national chairman nominated by the party to oversee the convention in the suit.
“And, he (Secondus) cannot claim to fight for personal right to clinch back his position after the party that gave him the power has already given it out to another,” the judge added.

Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Tayo Oyetubo, counsel to Mr Secondus, said his legal team will return to continue the case with a substantive appeal.

However, Henry Bello, lead counsel to some PDP respondents, welcomed the court ruling.

“Several reasons have been given by the court, but we have not been favoured with a certified through copy. It is sufficient that the court has not found any merit in the application and it has been dismissed,” Mr Bello told reporters.

The Degema Division of the Rivers State High Court had suspended Mr Secondus in August after a party chieftain Ernest Ibeawuchi and others sought an interim injunction of the court to prevent the PDP leader from parading himself as national chairman of the PDP.