APGA Faults FCT High Court’s Ruling on Oye, Others

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has criticised yesterday’s judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Mohammed A Madugu of the High Court, Bwari Judicial Division, Abuja,on the leadership tussle in the party, describing it as faulty and of no consequence.

The judgement was sequel to a suit filed against the immediate past national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Ike Oye and the Independent National Electoral Commission by Otunba Kamaru Lateef Ogidan and Alhaji Rabiu Mustapha, who belong to the Chief Edozie Njoku-led faction.

In the judgment, the trial Court had pronounced on the substance of the corrected Supreme Court judgment on the APGA leadership tussle and proceeded to hold that the Plaintiffs in the said suit remained National Officers of APGA.  The Court further declared that Oye had no powers to conduct Congresses and National Convention of APGA that recently held in Awka, Anambra State.

However, in a statement by the newly elected National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, the party dismissed the Court judgement saying, the leadership was not a party in the suit, “and is by law not bound by the outcome or judgment purportedly delivered by the Trial Judge’.

Opara said the issues pertaining to the correct interpretation of the Supreme Court Ruling of 24th March, 2023, which the Court purportedly delved into has been laid to rest by the judgments of 2 Federal High Courts Coram Hon. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho and Hon. Justice H. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and Awka Division respectively.

“What more, the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 28th of March, 2023 has further been affirmed by the Court of Appeal in its judgment delivered on the 2nd of June, 2023. By the said judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the judgment of Justice James Omotosho, Dr Victor Ike Oye was the National Chairman of APGA entitled to carry out the functions of that office. ‘Indeed, the attempt by Justice Madugu to upturn the aforesaid judgment of the Court of Appeal is the height of judicial rascality!

“We wish to reiterate the fact that the nationwide congresses and National Convention of APGA were conducted in due deference and compliance with the judgment of the High Court of Anambra State, Otuocha Judicial Division, which compelled APGA to conduct its congresses and National Convention before the expiration of the tenure of its current officers.

“Ike Oye cannot, under any circumstances whatsoever, be the same person as APGA. The All Progressives Grand Alliance is a duly  registered political party with its common seal and thus has the full right to sue or be sued in its name.

“We therefore, enjoin our esteemed members, supporters and the general public to disregard the claim of any alleged judgment affecting the leadership of APGA. Barr Sly Ezeokenwa remains the duly elected National Chairman of APGA having emerged from a proper National Convention duly monitored by INEC. Thus, he is the rightful person duly recognised by law to carry out the functions of the office,” he said.