1st March, 2022
By Gabriel Yough
A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo Tuesday nullified the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba conducted on Oct. 4, 2021.
Ruling on the suit, the Presiding Judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, told those parading themselves as officials of the party to stop forthwith.
The ruling followed a suit filed by some aggrieved members of the party, alleging a violation of APC Constitution in the conduct of the state congress.
The plaintiffs claimed the party did not hold its state congress at its Secretariat and also failed to inform members of the party about the date of the congress.
They prayed the court to nullify the outcome of the exercise to allow the conduct of a fresh congress.
Amobeda granted their plea and directed that another state congress be organised to carry every member of the party along.
Reacting to the judgement, Counsel for the defendants, Mr John Odekina, said his clients, which included APC and INEC, among others, would appeal the judgment.
“The court has given its judgment and we are grateful but this is not the final court.
“We have the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
”We know the Supreme Court has stated categorically, specifically and unequivocally in many cases that intra-party disputes are not issues where courts can litigate upon because they are domestic issues.
“In consultation with our clients, we will be ready to roll into motion our appeal at the court of appeal.
“And we remain undaunted, unyielding and uncompromising, until the final declaration is made on this issue,” he said. (NAN)