Delta APC Supremacy Battle: Court Affirms Ogodo Led Exco, Restrains other APC Elements From Due Recognition

A Delta State High Court sitting in the Kwale Judicial Division has affirmed Chief Cyril Ogodo led Exco as the authentic leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State; restraining the National Working Committee, the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or dealing with any other executives of the party in the state.

The presiding judge of the court, Justice V.I Ofesi also granted an interim injunction restraining the party or its agents from swearing-in any other Ward and Local Government Areas Executives of the APC in the state order than the Chief Cyril Ogodo-led leadership which has been sworn-in and since assumed office before the emergence of the current NWC.

Joined in the case with suit no. HCK/56/2018 are the All Progressive Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomole (The National Chairman, APC), Hon. Mai Mala Buni (National Secretary, APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

The plaintiffs; Emmanuel Kem Oki (State Welfare Secretary, APC), Mr. Amabiri Azorbo Paul (Chairman, Bomadi Local Govt. Area, APC), Chief Jiminyevwe Dicbame Ubu (Chairman, Ughelli South Local Govt. Area, APC) and Elder Lewis Odigwe (APC Chairman, Ndokwa West Local Govt. Area) had approached the court to restrain the defendants from recognising or dealing with any other faction except the Ogodo-led faction.

Ofesi after hearing from the counsel to the applicants, Chief F. I. Obigbor, the court ordered, “I have considered all the processes filed in support of this motion especially paragraphs 5-16 of the 18 paragraphs supporting affidavit- Exhibits A-E including the Counsel written address, I am of the view that in the interest of justice, this application be granted and it is hereby granted.

“The Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st – 3rd defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants, or howsoever called from recognizing and/or swearing in any other State Executive of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Delta State, apart from that chaired by Chief Cyril Abeye Ogodo and his members into office, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction pending before this Court.

“Secondly, an order of interim injunction is made restraining the 4th (INEC) whether by itself, its agents, servants or howsoever called from recognizing and/or dealing with any other State Executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State, apart from that chaired by Chief Cyril Abeye Ogodo and his members. Pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed in this case before this Court.”

The judge also granted, “an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants or howsoever called from recognizing and/or swearing in any other Ward and Local Government Areas Executives of the All Progressive Congress (APC) held on the 5th and 12th day of May 2018 under the chairmanship of Hon. Emmanuel Chinda and approved by the National Working Committee same having been sworn in and assumed duty. Defendants to show cause within 7 days hence while the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction should not be granted.”

The case was however adjoined to July 12th, 2018 by the presiding judge.