The Federal High Court in Abakaliki has issued an injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from recognizing the Steve Oruruo-led Caretaker Committee in Ebonyi State. The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Oshomah, also applies to any appointments made by the committee.
The order follows a motion filed by Barr. Silas Onu, the former state chairman of PDP, who sought the court’s intervention to prevent the recognition and appointment of the Caretaker Committee amid ongoing party conflicts. The dispute arose from factional tensions within the PDP that intensified during the 2023 general elections. The appointment of Steve Oruruo, an Enugu State indigene, as chairman of the Caretaker Committee exacerbated the crisis, leading to the departure of notable members, including former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim.
Onu’s motion, submitted on June 20, 2024, requested that the court restrain the PDP from appointing or recognizing any members of the Caretaker Committee until the matter is fully adjudicated. The court’s decision effectively bars both INEC and the PDP national leadership from acknowledging the committee’s existence or any appointments made by it.
During the hearing on July 19, 2024, PDP’s counsel, Godwin Ngwuta, indicated the party’s lack of opposition to Onu’s application. Justice Oshomah granted the injunction, emphasizing the need for all parties to maintain the status quo and avoid actions that could undermine the court’s decision or the resolution of the matter.
The court’s order directs that all parties involved adhere to the doctrine of lis pendens, which maintains the existing state of affairs until the court issues a final judgment.
