Anayo Okolie
The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire saturday denied allegation that he obtained the court judgment, which calls for the cancellation of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area primary election by deception.
The Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale, who accused Banire of filing the case that calls for fresh primaries in the LCDA, described the judgment as an ambush.
Ajomale, who also said the judge was misled into believing those presented to him as genuine members of the APC have nothing to do with the conduct and organisation of the primaries.
But Banire in his defense to Ajomale’s allegation in a statement made available to THISDAY, said he didn’t obtain any judgment.
According to him, “Firstly, let me state that I did not obtain any judgment whatsoever from any court in respect of the purported local government primaries, directly or by proxy. Certainly, there is a disconnect somewhere by him in reading the court processes, nowhere was my name mentioned or stated to be acting in proxy.
“An aggrieved aspirant went to court on his own volition and followed due process. It is a matter of public knowledge and there are tapes to buttress the non-holding of primaries.â€
On the issue of incitement, the former Lagos Commissioner for Environment said “assuming without conceding that I did, is incitement towards rule of law not better than incitement towards violence, particularly recognising the volatility of the local councils?
“Secondly, I wish to let chief Ajomale know that there is no known legal entity as APC Lagos State. There is only one juristic APC and is resident in Abuja and that is the only legal entity capable of being sued and served. In the case under reference, processes were appropriately served in Abuja and by virtue of the duty imposed on me by the APC Constitution; I assigned a counsel to represent the Party.
“I say without fear of contradiction that I am seized of all the facts involved and gave instructions in that regard. The question therefore is where lies the deception? My expectation is that chief Ajomale will tell me where the primary of the local government was held and the delegates that voted.
Further, Banire said: “My natural reaction would have been to descend into the same arena with him but doing so, might not only be disrespectful but will blur the message.
“It is in this regard that I have chosen to educate and enlighten him and his ilks, having realised that his challenge is lack of understanding of the legal process involved and the constitution of the party. The person whose name was submitted as the party’s candidate, Rasaq Ajala is a respectable brother of mine. He is not only politically sagacious but administratively competent,†Banire added.
