21st August, 2013
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, led by Chief Maxi Okwu has dragged Chief Victor Umeh, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to a Federal High Court in Abuja demanding to be recognized as the authentic leader of the party that would nominate candidates for the 16th November governorship election in Anambra State.
In suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2013 dated 18 August, 2013 filed by Oba Maduabuchi, lawyer to Maxi Okwu and four others elected with him during the party’s national convention on 8 April, 2013 in Awka, the plaintiffs averred that the APGA convention and election on 10 February 2011, in Awka in which Umeh was re-elected National Chairman and Shinkafi National Secretary including other members of the National Working Committee, was by voice vote contrary to Article 18(4) of the party’s constitution that stipulates elections shall be by secret ballot only.
The plaintiffs also asked the court to determine “Whether the 2nd defendant (Shinkafi) can still validly occupy the position of National Secretary of APGA in 2013 when the constitution of the party provide a maximum tenure of eight years and he was first elected as National Secretary of the party on 10 January 2003, ten years ago.’’
The plaintiffs prayed the court for an order directing Umeh, Shinkafi and all the officers purportedly elected with them in February 2011 national convention by voice vote to vacate their various offices as their “election” was not in accordance with Article 18(4) of the APGA constitution which prescribes that elections shall be by secret ballot.
They argued that the convention merely ratified the tenure of the National Working Committee Members by affirmation.
They are also seeking an order directing INEC to deal with the Maxi Okwu leadership of the party.