News Editor
…Udeh Okoye is National Secretary in line with Appeal Court Order of January 13, 2025.
Barr Ikechukwu Ibezim
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been ordered by the Appeal Court to maintain “status quo ante bellum” as of December 20, 2024, regarding the position of its National Secretary.
This Latin phrase translates to “the situation as it existed before the war,” implying that the party must revert to its previous state before the Appeal or Motion for Stay was filed by the ousted National Secretary, Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu at the Appeal Court.
In essence, the Appeal Court’s order aims to preserve the integrity of the court and prevent any actions that might render its eventual judgment nugatory.
The court has inherent powers to make such preservatory orders, which are intended to protect the subject matter of the dispute until a final decision is reached.
In the light of the above, both the High Court and the Appeal Court of Enugu State have delivered judgements in favour of the former PDP National Youth Leader, Rt Hon Sunday Udeh Okoye, upon which the January 13, 2025 Order was issued. Therefore, in the eyes of the law, Udeh Okoye is the National Secretary of the PDP.
Why the PDP Must Respect the Order
The PDP must respect the Appeal Court’s order of January 13, 2025 for several reasons:
– Maintenance of Rule of Law: By complying with the court’s order, the PDP demonstrates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting the judiciary’s authority.
– Preservation of Party Integrity: The “status quo ante bellum” order helps maintain the party’s integrity by preventing any actions that might be deemed controversial or divisive.
– Avoidance of Contempt of Court: Failure to comply with the court’s order might result in contempt of court proceedings, which could damage the party’s reputation and credibility.
In conclusion, the PDP must respect the Appeal Court’s order and maintain the “status quo ante bellum” as of December 20, 2024, regarding its National Secretary position.
This is essential for upholding the rule of law, preserving party integrity, and avoiding contempt of court proceedings.
Conclusively, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legally is RT. HON. S.K.E. Udeh Okoye and anyone else parading himself or herself will be in contempt of court.
