By Alex Enumah in Abuja
Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Cross River State, who are unhappy with the result of the party’s recently held Congresses, have dragged the party before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking nullification of the ward, local government and state congresses.
In the suit filed by Odey Oyama, a party caucus leader and 22 others, the plaintiffs are challenging the February 24, 2018 state congress with 98 delegates, which produced Godwin Etim John as state party chairman, replacing former chairman and now Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, and the subsequent wards, local governments and state congresses of May, 2018.
In the originating summons filed by their counsel, Marx Ogar, the plaintiffs are contending that the February 24, 2018 state congress, which was ordered by the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Mr. Segun Oni was not valid under sections 85 (1) and (3) of the 2010 Electoral Act and Article 12.7 of the APC Constitution.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In an affidavit deposed to by an APC member in the state, Joseph Ushie Ade, stated that while scheduled May 5 ward congress was rescheduled for Sunday 6th May, 2018, the committee chairman Stan Ekezie moved the materials to a different venue from the party secretariat to Danic Hotels where they completed the results.
“I know as a fact that after our leaders drew the attention of the world to the perfidy perpetrated by the Stan Ekezie Congress Committee in connivance with Godwin Etim John/Pastor Usani Usani, the congress materials recovered from them at Danic Hotel Calabar (their hideout)
were taken to the Calabar Area Command of the Cross River State Police Command in Akim where same were deposited with the Nigeria Police Force Area Commander pending the reconstitution of anotherCongress
Committee that would be fair, independent and impartial†he averred.
Similarly, four Cross River APC members: Hon. Eborty Egbe, Harrison Edor Ribua, Stanley Ekuri Ajom, Joseph Nkang Ogar and Chris Omukwu have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the state congress of May 19, 2018 where the state executives were purportedly elected.
They want the court to make an order annulling/voiding the process which produced the Godwin Etim John and others as chairman and members respectively of the Cross River Executive Committee of the party.
They also want an injunction in restraining the party not to recognize or inaugurate Godwin Etim John and others as chairman and members respectively of the Cross River State Executive of the APC pending the outcome of fresh state congress.
