APGA affirms NWC legitimacy amidst court judgement
By Wole Adedoyin
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has clarified its position regarding the recent court judgement delivered on 6th June 2023, in a suit filed against Chief Victor Ike Oye and INEC by Otunba Camaru Lateef Ogidan and Rubiu Mustapha.
“The judgement has no effect on the legitimacy of the wards, Local Governments, and States congresses, as well as the National Convention of APGA held on 31st May 2023, which saw the emergence of the Barr Sly Ezeokenwa-led National Working Committee,” the statement said.
In a legal statement issued by the National Legal Adviser of the party Barrister Victor Agunzi, and made available by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, provided the following points to support the affirmation of the legitimacy of its National Working Committee:
“APGA was not a party to the suit, and there was no order made against APGA regarding the conduct of its congresses and National Convention.
“As APGA was not a party to the suit, it is not bound by the judgment delivered.
“The Court did not declare Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA.
“The Court only emphasized the need for parties to obey the Supreme Court judgment delivered on 14th October 2021.
“The Court affirmed that the status quo, as stated in the Supreme Court judgement, should be maintained before the suit was filed in Jigawa.
“The Court did not define the specific status quo but left it to the parties involved.
“The Court of Appeal’s judgment, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court, already determined the status quo before the suit in Jigawa. It recognised Chief Victor Ike Oye as the validly elected Chairman of APGA.
“The Court stated that any action taken by Chief Victor Ike Oye in contravention of a court judgment is null and void. However, it did not find that Chief Victor Ike Oye had violated the Supreme Court judgment.
“The Court of Appeal, on 2nd June 2023, affirmed the judgement of Hon. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, which authenticated Dr. Victor Ike Oye as the National Chairman of APGA authorized by law to nominate and forward the names of APGA candidates to INEC.
“The judgement of the Court of Appeal, affirming Justice James Kolawole Omotosho’s judgment, holds greater authority than that of the FCT High Court.
“INEC is bound by law to obey the judgement of a superior court, not an inferior court,” the statement added.
The APGA asserted that the judgements of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the validation of Dr. Victor Ike Oye as the National Chairman of APGA all favour its cause. Furthermore, the Court’s order restraining INEC from recognizing Chief Victor Ike Oye as the National Chairman does not affect the legitimacy of the current National Working Committee.
The Wards, Local Governments, States Congresses, and the National Convention of APGA were conducted in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and the Anambra State High Court judgment mandating Chief Victor Ike Oye to conduct these activities before the expiration of his tenure.
The statement read, “Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, and members of his National Working Committee, elected at the National Convention of APGA held on 31st May 2023, remain the validly elected National executives of APGA.
“APGA urges its members and supporters to disregard the propaganda and misinformation being spread by the Edozie Njoku group regarding the recent court judgment. The party remains committed to its principles and the development of Nigeria.”
