activities: PDP’s move to suspend Wike, others fail

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) move to suspend or expel Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and State Executive Committee members of the PDP in the State over alleged anti-party activities, failed at the federal high court, Abuja.

Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the fears of Wike and other members of the PDP were well founded, and that suspending or expelling them will amount to the breach of their rights to freedom of association.

The court maintained that it was within the power of the court to grant redress to persons who have well established acts that would amount to the infringement of their rights.

It held that members of political parties cannot be suspended arbitrarily without compliance with the political party’s guidelines.

Governor Wike and four other PDP governors known as the G5, had openly campaigned against PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general elections.

statement by Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan. The students, according to preliminary briefings, escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna - Niger interstate boundaries, and walked for days before arriving at a location (kept undisclosed for security reasons) where they were harboured. Human intelligence sources subsequently alerted the Kaduna State Government for immediate evacuation.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai on receipt of the intelligence directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the 1 Division Nigerian Army for urgent evacuation of the students to Kaduna Metropolis, as it was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing the forests in the area to recapture the students.

The students have been safely evacuated to a military facility where they are presently receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, Governor ElRufai has expressed his delight over the development, and has praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in making their escape from captivity.

The Governor admonished them to view the horrific experience as a turning point, and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future.

The Governor also commended the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Major General OT Akinjobi for the prompt evacuation and the ongoing medicals being conducted on the students. The Governor also commended the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Major General OT Akinjobi fomedicals being conducted on the students.