By Gija

The media aide to Benue State governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, has announced that a Makurdi High Court has issued a restraining order against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) preventing them from suspending or expelling Governor Samuel Ortom from the party.

The ruling was given on Thursday by Judge Augustine Itoyonyiman.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is part of a group of five PDP governors known as G-5 who are dissatisfied with the national leadership of the party.

The group is led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, with the other members being Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Okezie Ikpaeazu of Abia State.

The group of dissatisfied governors known as G-5 are requesting the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP National Chairman, in order to balance the party’s leadership structure, as he is from the same northern region of Nigeria as Atiku.

However, Mr Ayu has refused to step down from his position as the head of the PDP.

Governor Samuel Ortom took legal action against the PDP, including its National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), all National Officers (elected or appointed), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prevent the party from expelling him.

The case with the reference number MHC/46/2023 was filed on February 15th and coincides with the widespread speculations that the PDP may expel Governor Samuel Ortom, who is the party’s candidate for the Benue North-west Senatorial election slated for February 25th.

The presiding Judge, Augustine Itoyonyiman, granted an ex-parte order restraining the PDP and its entities from expelling, suspending or imposing any other sanctions on Mr Ortom, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

In addition to the restraining order granted against the PDP and its organs, the judge, Augustine Itoyonyiman, also issued an order preventing INEC and its officers from receiving or acting on any communication made by the PDP seeking to disqualify Governor Samuel Ortom from participating in the Benue North West Senatorial District election in the 2023 general election.

The hearing of the case has been scheduled for February 24th.