A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an ex parte order blocking the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Abdullahi Umar-Ganduje and Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola-Basiru, from holding the planned Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses in Rivers State, scheduled for October 11, 16, and 26.
The lawsuit was filed by Peter Ohochukwu and Haija Ndidi-Chukwuma on behalf of themselves and other elected APC executives in the state. The APC, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were named defendants.
Justice Godwin O. Ollor, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, August 22, also issued a restraining order against the defendants, their representatives, officers, or agents from conducting, supervising, or organizing any elections for the Rivers State executive committee.
The court’s decision was based on the merits of the application and oral arguments from the plaintiffs’ counsel, Collins Dike. Justice Ollor also barred the APC’s national leadership from attempting to suspend the state executives led by Emeka Beke and from interfering with their activities until a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction is heard.
The case has been adjourned to September 9, for further hearing.
Outside the courtroom, Collins Dike, the claimants’ counsel, explained: “After the judgment from Honorable Justice S. H. Aprioku, the national office of APC planned an elective congress specifically for Rivers State. This move seemed intended to invalidate Justice Aprioku’s clear ruling, which confirmed the tenure of the elected executives was valid until the constitutionally allotted four years expired.
“Despite the clear judgment, the national office proceeded with plans for an elective congress, creating a new cause of action. We sought court intervention to prevent them from undermining the judgment and interfering with the current executive committee. We’re pleased that the court agreed with our arguments and issued a temporary restraining order.”
