A Rivers State High Court has adjourned proceedings in a significant legal challenge brought by three aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following disputes surrounding the nomination process for the 2025 local government elections.
Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Jumbo, has fixed May 18, 2026, for the comprehensive hearing of the originating summons alongside all pending motions.
The claimants; Enyi Uchechukwu, Wisdom Kalio, and Uche Amadi, are seeking judicial clarification on the legal standing of the current PDP leadership in Rivers State. Specifically, they are asking the court to determine whether the State Executive, led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, possessed the requisite authority to forward a list of candidates to the electoral commission.
This challenge stems from the fact that previous congresses associated with the Chukwuemeka-led executive had been nullified. Consequently, the suit seeks a formal declaration on whether the PDP validly nominated its candidates for the chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions during the council polls held on August 30, 2025.
The suit names a broad array of defendants, reflecting the high stakes of the litigation: The Rivers State PDP Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka; The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC); and The Government of Rivers State.
Furthermore, the chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors of Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas have been joined as defendants in the matter.
The decision to adjourn followed representations from various legal counsel, who noted discrepancies and gaps in the service and response to certain court processes. Justice Jumbo emphasised the necessity of ensuring all parties are properly served to maintain the integrity of the judicial proceedings.
As the May 18 date approaches, the political landscape in Rivers State remains attentive to the court’s eventual ruling, which could have profound implications for the legitimacy of the current local government administration across several key districts.
Leave a comment