The National leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has once again recognised Mr Tochukwu Okorie as its authentic chairman in Ebonyi.This is contained in a letter dated May 31, 2022 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), a copy was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
The letter was signed by PDP’s National Chairman, Sen. Iyochia Ayu and the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.The party explained that it’s decision to recognise Okorie was in obedience to a judgement by the Appellate court which upturned the judgement of a Federal High Court that hitherto recognised Mr Silas Onu as its state chairman.
The letter read in part; “Please refer to our letter with Ref: PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.13/22-081 in which we informed the Commission of the Party’s decision to comply with the Federal High Court decision in Suit #FHC/ABJ/CS/1319/2021.’We now wish to inform the Commission that the Appeal Court has upturned the decision of the Lower Court in Suit #CA/ABJ/CV/444/2022 and in total obedience to the Appellate Court Judgement, our recognized State Chairman in Ebonyi is MR. OKORIE TOCHUKWU OKOROAFOR.
“Kindly accord him the necessary support he needs to perform his constitutional role, while thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”Newsmen recalls that that an Abuja Federal High Court had in April 13 removed Okorie as Ebonyi PDP chairman.
However, Okorie got a reprieve when a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja granted a stay of execution of the lower court judgement and ordered that status quo which existed before the judgement of April 13 be maintained.
Our correspondent further reports that there has been running battle between Okorie who was elected state chairman of the PDP in 2021 and Onu former acting Publicity Secretary of the party who lost to Okorie in the election.Onu who was dissatisfied by the outcome of the PDP’s state Congress filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja claiming that he was the only candidate who purchased form for the position of the party’s Chairmanship.
In its judgement, the Federal High Court granted Onu all the reliefs sought, prompting immediate swearing in of the plaintiff by a notary public.However, Okorie proceeded to Appeal Court for a stay pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Though, it was granted, Onu held onto power claiming that there was an order of the Federal High Court restraining the application of a stay on a judgement that had been implemented.It should be recalled that a faction of the party loyal to Onu on Sunday conducted primary election to select House of Assembly; National Assembly as well as gubernatorial candidates for 2023 general elections.Efforts to speak with Onu on the latest development proved abortive.
