In a judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the congresses, which were held on February 7th did not comply with provisions of both Electoral Act 2022 and APC’s Constitution.
In its judgement, the court instructed that new Ward and Local Government congresses be held in strict compliance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 13 of the APC Constitution.
The court's decision came after an aggrieved member of the party led by Realwan Okpanachi brought suit before the court.
Justice Omotosho held that there was merit in the case of the plaintiffs, even as he barred the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, from according recognition to any candidate of the party that emerged from any primary election conducted with the said unlawful list of delegates.
The court held that it was satisfied that the APC acted in breach of section 84 of the Electoral Act and Article 13 of its own constitution by concocting a purported list of delegates and submitting same to INEC without the knowledge of registered members of the party in the state.
The court stressed that the APC failed to present credible evidence proving where exactly it held its ward and local government congresses, as well as what kinds of reports were made by INEC officials who monitored these elections.
Consequently, the court directed the APC to conduct special Ward and LG congresses in the state, in line with provisions of the relevant laws, especially section 84 of the Electoral Act and section 13 of the party’s Constitution.
“Aside from Okpanachi, other plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/329/2023, are; Yahaya Saidu Nuhu, Omaonu Clement Arome, Mustapha Ibrahim Idoko, Aku Umar Goodman and Abu Steven Okpanachi Onechiojo.“The APC and INEC were cited as the 1st and 2nd defendants, respectfully.
