Court Extends Order Against INEC, PDP Over Defected Rivers Lawmakers

The interim order that prevents the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any action against the 26 Rivers House of Assembly members who switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been extended by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Okorowo made the extension after an application by the lawmaker’s counsel, Steve Adehi, who represented the Rivers House of Assembly.

He ruled that the court had the discretionary power to grant the request in the interest of justice, based on Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court.

The judge ruled that he was convinced by the arguments presented by the counsel for the lawmakers that the order was in the best interest of justice.

Justice Okorowo then postponed the matter to January 24 for a hearing. He had earlier granted the ex-parte motion filed by the 26 lawmakers who left the PDP for the APC on December 15.

The court had stopped INEC from holding new elections to replace the 26 assembly members.

It had also stopped INEC, PDP, and the House of Assembly from declaring their seats empty and taking back their respective certificates of return until the motion on notice was heard and decided.