The crisis rocking All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State deepened on Wednesday as a high court sitting in Awka voided the party congresses conducted last month.
Seventeen former chairmen of APC in Anambra State led by Mr. Lawrence Emegini went to court seeking a declaration that their tenures as local government chairmen of the party still subsist.
In suit no: 2022 A/3/2022, the former
Caretaker Chairman and Ward Representatives challenged the validity of the party’s congress which was held in January when they claimed their tenure had not ended.
In a judgment, Justice Ike Ogu held that the APC congresses contravened the initial interlocutory injunction given by his court.
The judge ruled that the suit filed by one Lawrence Emegini and others against APC succeeded.
The court held that the tenures of wards, local government areas and states executives elected during 2018 congresses in Anambra State have not expired.
According to Justice Ogu, whatever congress conducted by APC and its representatives in the state contravened the order of the court and cannot stand.
The factional secretary of APC loyal to the applicants in the state, Mr Chukwuma Agupugo, described the judgment as a victory for rule of law.
Agupugo who said that some people wanted to disorganise the party by trying to hijack its leadership through the back tthank God that the court has liberated the partly.
Counsel to the plaintiffs Chief P.I. Ikwueto(SAN) said that his clients have been vindicated by the decision of the court.
Mr Chikwunoso Chinwuba, the Legal Adviser of the factional APC dissolved by the judge said they would study the judgment and know the next line of action to take.
“We will file a notice of appeal and stay of execution. The judge err in law and it will be set aside at the appeal”, he said
