The court-sacked Chairman of the Ebonyi state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Tochukwu Okorie has insisted that he remains the Chairman of the party, claiming that the judgment sacking him was bought.
The embattled Okorie said that he has the support of the party’s National Chairman and others to remain in office despite the verdict of the court.
Okorie specifically said that the said judgment of a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, which ousted him last week Wednesday, was bought by Barrister Silas Onu.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, it will be recalled, had ruled that Mr Tochukwu Okorie was not validly nominated to contest election for the position of the Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State.
Delivering judgment in the suit filed by Barrister Silas Onu, challenging the election of Okorie, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that Okorie was indolent in submitting his nomination form and could not be allowed to benefit from his wrong doing.
Justice Mohammed consequently directed the PDP to hold that only Onu was lawfully nominated to participate in the election of Oct. 16, 2021 and to issue him a certificate of return declaring him as the duly elected Chairman of PDP, Ebonyi Chapter.
The court, Justice Mohammed said, found out that the 2nd defendant (Okorie), who submitted his nomination form on Oct. 4, 2021 instead of Oct. 1, 2021, contrary to the guidelines of the conduct of congresses was not validly nominated.
The judge stated that he (Okorie) was therefore not qualified to contest in the said election of Oct. 16, 2021.
However, Okorie, in a statement personally signed by him at the weekend, maintained that he is the Chairman of the PDP in the State, saying that no one has removed him.
According to the statement by Okorie, “As stated in my press release of Wednesday 13th of April, 2022 – the day Silas Onu bought a judgment, I remain the Chairman of PDP Ebonyi State Chapter as no one has removed me.
“Finally, while we appeal the purchased judgment, we are confident that the National Leadership of our great party will stand by us as assured by the National Chairman”, he said.
The embattled Okorie further claimed that the Governor of Ebonyi, Engr Governor Umahi is working hard to install Barrister Silas Onu and one Anyi Chuks in PDP by all means with a view to destabilizing the main opposition party.
He alleged that the judgement of the Federal High court was “procured by fraud” and as such “it will not be honoured by the National Working Committee of our great party”.
The statement entitled, “PDP Ebonyi Under My Leadership is Firm”, reads in full, “As stated in my press release of Wednesday 13th of April, 2022 – the day Silas Onu bought a judgment, I remain the Chairman of PDP Ebonyi State Chapter as no one has removed me.
“As a way of updating our teeming members and supporters, yesterday (Thursday) , our leaders met with the National Chairman of our great party.
‘The delegation of 21 powerful leaders was led by His Excellency, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON together with the National Vice Chairman South East Zone of our great party –Dr Ali Odefa. Others in attendance were Sen. Sam Egwu, Sen. Micheal Nnachi, Sen. Obinna Ogba, Hon. Iduma Igariwey among others.
“The National Chairman listened to our delegation as they narrated the core problem of Ebonyi PDP and how Governor Umahi is working hard to install Silas Onu and Anyi Chuks in PDP by all means.
“The Chairman was furious and vowed that both of them will never succeed in what they’ve been planted to achieve. “The FHC Judgment was procured by fraud and it will not be honoured by the National Working Committee of our great party.
“The National Chairman was bold and very confident that Ebonyi PDP will be supported to be one strong family and no weapon formed against us will be allowed to succeed.
“With this, our dear members can now rest assured that we are in total control. There is only one chairman and that is me–Tochukwu Okorie.
“I am by this conveying the decision of our leaders, which was reached yesterday in Abuja, that no party officer – from ward level up to State level, should attend any political rally or event organised by Anyi Chuks henceforth.
“We understand that he plans a declaration rally on Sunday 17 April. We will be watching to see if anyone will disobey this directive. The NVC (DR) Ali Odefa will personally oversea the discipline of erring officers – We are PDP, not him.
“Finally, while we appeal the purchased judgment, we are confident that the National Leadership of our great party will stand by us as assured by the National Chairman”, he said.
