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PDP Crisis: S’Court Adjourns Hearing To May 25
The Supreme Court, yesterday, adjourned hearing on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, till May 25.
A five-man panel of Justices of the apex court fixed the date to hear an appeal that is challenging the judgement that declared Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
The appeal was lodged by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led Caretaker Committee of the party which was sacked by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal on February 7.
The Supreme Court panel which was headed by Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed okayed full-blown hearing on the matter after all the parties regularized various processes they filed in respect of the appeal.
The Markafi-led faction had in the appeal marked SC.133/2017 and dated February 27, which they filed in the name of the PDP, challenged the appellate court verdict that handed leadership of the party to Sheriff.
Respondents to the appeal are Sheriff, his National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service.
When the case was called-up, the Sheriff-led PDP, through its counsel, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, notified the court of an application they filed on March 21, challenging the locus-standi of the Markafi-led faction to institute any court action in the name of the PDP.
Fagbemi, SAN, said the application is seeking to withdraw and terminate further proceeding on the appeal on the basis that it was filed by persons not authorized by the authentic leadership of the party.
He contended that based on the subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Markafi and his group lacked the legal-footing to pursue the appeal in the name of the PDP, though he said they have the right to merely identify themselves before the apex court as interested parties.
Consequently, Fagbemi applied for the suit to be struck out in its entirety, the “authentic PDP” having filed a motion for discontinuance of the appeal.
“My lords, there is a judgment at the Court of Appeal that recognized Sheriff as the authentic Chairman of the Party.
“Afterwards, the counsel who represented Makarfi’s faction of PDP filed an appeal without consulting the Chairman.
The new leadership then wrote to them, stating that it does not need to appeal the decision of the Appeal Court.
“The new leadership is not interested in the appeal and it is the only faction that can decide whether it is interested in the appeal or not”, Fagbemi insisted.
Nevertheless, head of the apex court panel, Justice Dattijo, drew Fagbemi’s attention to the fact that the appellate court does not have the final say on the protracted leadership dispute.
“Going by the constitution, the Court of Appeal is not the final and the appeal in the Supreme is a continuation of the process.
What you are raising here is a preliminary objection. “There were two parties to the Court of Appeal’s decision. Does the other Party not have a right of appeal?
Was the decision of the lower court made ex-parte?” Justice Datijjo queried. He held that the Markafi-led faction have a right of appeal at the apex court.
On his part, counsel to the appellants, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, urged the court to hear the appeal on its merit.
Before the matter was adjourned till May 25, the apex court gave Fagbemi, SAN, seven days to file and serve a written address in support of his motion on all the parties, even as it gave Olanipekun, SAN, five days to reply.
Likewise, the court gave the 1st and 2nd respondents 14 days to file and serve their counter affidavit on the appellants.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.