February 23, (THEWILL) – An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka, the state capital, has nullified the ward, local government and state congresses of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held recently.
Seventeen former chairmen of APC in Anambra state, led by 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 chairmen and Ward Representatives, challenged the validity of the party’s congress which was held in January when they claimed their tenure had not ended.
Delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Ike Ogu, held that the APC congresses contravened the initial Interlocutory Injunction given by his court and that the suit filed by one Lawrence Emegini and others against APC succeeded.
The court held that the tenure of wards, local government areas and states executives elected during 2018 congresses in Anambra State has not expired.
According to Justice Ogu, whatever congress conducted by APC and it’s 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, Chukwuma Agupugo, described the judgement as a victory for rule of law.
Agupugo said that some people had wanted to disorganise the party by trying to hijack its leadership from through the back, but thank God that the court has liberated the party.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief P.I. Ikwueto (SAN), said his clients have been vindicated by the decision of the court.
The Legal Adviser of the factional APC dissolved by the judge, Chikwunoso Chinwuba, said they would study the judgement 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.
