Opposition lawmakers under the aegis of the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) on Saturday raised the alarm over a renewed plot to oust Governor Siminalayi Fubara of River State. The 27 sacked members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are seeking to oust the River State governor.

The Coalition Spokesperson, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, raised the alarm during a press conference at the National Assembly in Abuja, presenting some leaked court documents signed by PDP Chairman, Damagun and PDP Secretary, Senator Anyawu, to support the pro-Wike interests of the APC against the PDP in Rivers State and support its bid to remove Governor Fubara from office.

The three-page document dated 23 July 2024 was entitled: “Notice of withdrawal of appeal under Order 11 Rule (1) of the Court of Appeal Rules 2021.”

“Please note that the appellant intends to and hereby withdraws in its entirety her appeal dated 16.07.2024 filed by Dr. JY Musa, SAN against all the respondents to this appeal.”

During the media chat, Honourable Ugochinyere stated: “The opposition party, CUPP (Legislative Coalition) under the umbrella of the Opposition Coalition today made serious allegations against the incumbent National Chairman of the party, Mr Umar Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

“The parliamentarians accused the two party leaders of hatching a secret plot to sabotage the interests of the PDP in an ongoing legal battle involving renegade former members of the Rivers State House of Representatives. This is part of a desperate and shameful attempt to betray their own party, frustrate all legal efforts and provide legal support to the pro-Wike elements of the APC to implement their impossible plan to oust the PDP government of Governor Fubara from office.”

Honourable Ugochinyere, who was accompanied by other senior opposition MPs, narrated a series of events which he described as a calculated attempt by Damagum and Anyanwu to weaken the PDP from within and undermine its legal standing in a high-profile court case which will give the sacked pro-Wike APC MPs legal leverage to oust the PDP government.

He further alleged that the PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagun, and Secretary Samuel Anyawu, out of shame, opposed the move by the National Legal Adviser, Ajibade SAN, to ensure that the pro-Wike APC MPs who deserted the PDP are neutralised and stopped from harming the interests of the PDP. However, the PDP Chairman and Secretary lobbied the pro-Wike APC MPs to help them regain their lost legitimacy and make another run at achieving their impossible dream: the removal of their own PDP government under Governor Fubara under Rivers.

The case, bearing the title PHC/2177/CS/2024, revolves around a dispute over the defection of 27 PDP members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.

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Ugochinyere explained that the Rivers State High Court had already issued an interim injunction on July 8, 2024, restraining key state officials from dealing with the defected lawmakers.

He, however, alleged that former Governor Nyesom Wike, in what he described as an “anti-party” maneuver, had instructed Dr. JY Musa, SAN, to file an unauthorized appeal against the order despite opposition from the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.

“The National Legal Adviser, who is constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the PDP, had already moved on July 24, 2024, to withdraw the appeal, realising the potential damage to the party,” Ugochinyere explained. “However, in a shocking turn of events, on August 15, 2024, Damagum and Anyanwu sent a letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt distancing themselves from the withdrawal, effectively undermining the authority of the Legal Adviser.”

The opposition coalition MPs argue that this action by the party leadership is part of a wider plan to destabilise the PDP in Rivers State and pave the way for the political ambitions of the APC. They claim that this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of interference by Damagum and Anyanwu in several other legal cases in Abuja and Port Harcourt, all allegedly aimed at weakening the PDP.

Ugochinyere warned of dire consequences should this “plot” succeed, including the erosion of internal democracy within the PDP, possible fragmentation of the party, loss of public confidence, and significant legal and financial repercussions.

He called for immediate action, including affirming the authority of the National Legal Counsel, initiating legal action to prevent the National Chairman and Secretary from further interference, and convening a disciplinary committee to investigate their actions.

“The PDP must stand united in the face of this betrayal,” Ugochinyere demanded.

“We call on all members of the PDP and all Nigerians of good intentions to join us in defending the integrity of our party and ensuring that justice prevails.”

The press conference ended with the opposition coalition’s commitment to continue its fight to protect the PDP from internal and external threats and to keep the public informed of any further developments in the case.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE