Court Restrains APC from Conducting Congresses in Rivers

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an ex parte order preventing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from conducting its scheduled Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses in Rivers State. The congresses, originally planned for October 11, 16, and 26, 2024, have been halted pending further legal proceedings.

The order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by Peter Ohochukwu and Haija Ndidi-Chukwuma on behalf of themselves and all elected executive members of the APC in Rivers State. The defendants in the case include the APC’s national leadership under Chairman Abdullahi Umar-Ganduje and Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola-Basiru, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Godwin O. Ollor, who presided over the case, emphasized that the decision was based on the merits of the application and the oral arguments presented by the plaintiffs’ legal counsel, Collins Dike. The ruling restrains the APC, along with its representatives and agents, from conducting, supervising, or organizing any elections related to the Rivers State executive committee.

The court also explicitly barred the APC’s national leadership from attempting to suspend the state executive committee led by Emeka Beke. The injunction ensures that the current executives will maintain their positions until the court hears the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

The case has been adjourned to September 9, 2024, when the court will consider the motion on notice. Speaking to the press after the ruling, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Collins Dike, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. He noted that the ruling prevents any attempt by the APC’s national leadership to undermine a previous judgment by Justice S. H. Aprioku, which upheld the tenure of the current state executives.

Dike argued that the planned congresses were a deliberate move to invalidate the earlier judgment and create a fait accompli, which the court has now blocked. The court’s order ensures that no further actions will be taken until all parties are heard, preserving the status quo within the Rivers State APC leadership.