By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), high court, has been asked to nullified all the All Progressive Congress(APC) State congresses.
The plaintiff, a chieftain of the party, Okosisi Emeka Ngwu, wants the court to dissolve the Governor Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee(CECPC).
Consequently, he wants the court to nullify all the actions and activities taken by the committee.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court, in a dissenting judgment, dismissed a petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the 2020 Ondo State governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, against the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN and APC.
The apex court had in a minority judgment of three Justices, questioned the validity of the Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and declared it illegal.
It held that the party erred by allowing a sitting governor to hold the position of party national Chairman in clear breach of section 183 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
The fresh suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1824/2021 and dated August 2, 2021, listed the APC and all members of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee as defendants.
The plaintiff had in the originating summons filed by his counsel, Chief Oba Maduabuchi (SAN), prayed the court to dissolve the Committee known as and called caretaker/extraordinary convention planning committee as there is no organ of the party or any such organization in the party’s constitution.
He further sought a declaration that pursuant to section 87(4)(b)(1) of the Electoral Act (as amended), only the National Executive Committee of a political party can validly appoint a date for the holding of primaries for the nomination of the gubernatorial or other candidates of the political party.
A declaration that unless an election is conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and by an organ known to and created by the constitution of the APC, no valid candidate can emerge from such a primary.
