A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has nullified the seven-man caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, led by Chief Tony Okocha.
The court, presided over by Justice Sika Aprioku, reinstated Chief Emeka Beke as the authentic chairman of the party in the state, along with his democratically elected executive.
The judgement was delivered in a suit filed by Sam Sam Etetegwung, Banarth Ezemoje, and others on behalf of the elected APC executives in the state.
Justice Aprioku also issued a perpetual injunction against the Tony Okocha-led caretaker committee, restraining them from taking further steps to distract the Emeka Beke-led executive until the expiration of their four-year tenure.
The Court also restrained the National leadership of the APC from recognizing the Tony Okocha-led executive, declaring it “non-existent” and “of no effect”.
Justice Aprioku slammed the APC’s National Working Committee for violating the party’s constitution and the Nigerian Constitution, relying on “hearsay allegations” of anti-party activities without proof.
The court also cautioned INEC for supporting the dissolution of democratically elected APC executives, emphasising that political parties must obey their own constitution and stop acting with impunity.
The judge awarded N300,000 in costs in favour of the Beke-led APC executive, stating that the party cannot benefit from its own illegality.
In a clear victory for Beke, the court declared the inauguration of the Tony Okocha-led caretaker committee “null and void”, emphasising that its members “never existed in the eyes of the law”.
In a related development, the court struck out a suit filed by Ezekiel Ubom on behalf of the Ward elected executive of APC for failing to follow proper procedures in filing the processes.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Counsel Chizim Chinda expressed joy over the judgement, saying it has reinstated his clients to their rightful positions. However, he hinted that they would refile the suit on behalf of the elected Ward executives.
On the other hand, Counsel David Ameh, representing the defendants, said they would obtain and study the judgement to determine their next course of action.
The contrasting reactions from both counsels suggest that while the judgement has brought relief to the Emeka Beke-led executive, the legal battle may not be over yet.
However, The Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State expressed shock and disappointment at the judgement delivered by Justice Sika Aprioku, describing it as “rebellious” and “against the principles of law established by the Supreme Court of Nigeria”.
In a statement signed by Chibike Ikenga, Publicity Secretary, the committee alleged that the judge had shown bias and ignored their objections, going against the Supreme Court’s decisions in similar cases.
The committee claimed that the judge’s decision to hear the case during vacation, without their application or consent, raised suspicions about the urgency and motives behind the judgement.
They vowed to appeal the judgement, expressing confidence in the Supreme Court’s earlier decisions that the court does not have jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party.
The committee reassured party members that they remain in charge of the party’s affairs in Rivers State and urged them to focus on rebuilding and repositioning the party, rather than being distracted by “disgruntled persons” with ulterior motives.
Meanwhile, Chief Emeka Beke, the reinstated APC Chairman of Rivers State, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding justice in the party’s leadership tussle.
Beke, speaking at the state party secretariat, described the judgement as a victory for democracy and a testament to the party’s commitment to the rule of law.
He dismissed Tony Okocha, a rival claimant to the chairmanship, as a “draining man” who is not a member of the APC, but rather a member of the SDP.
Beke emphasised that the party will not be intimidated or deterred from participating in the October 5 local government elections, citing President Bola Tinubu democratic credentials.
He called for democracy to be allowed to thrive in Rivers State, condemning the bombing of a political party secretariat as “a shame” and “not democracy at all”.
Beke expressed confidence that the National Chairman of the APC will respect the court’s judgement and hinted at a stakeholders’ meeting to chart the party’s future course.
With a sense of determination, Beke declared, “We stand by this party, this is our party, nobody can take us out of this party.”