Court bars APC from conducting congresses in Rivers

A State High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an injunction preventing the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from carrying out ward and local government congresses.

In a ruling on a motion ex parte, Justice Godwin Ollor barred the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola-Basiru; and the APC from holding the ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled for October 11, 16, and 26, 2024.

The plaintiffs in the case are Peter Ohochukwu and Hajia Ndidi-Chukwuma. Additional defendants include the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigerian Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Ollor’s ruling prohibits the defendants, their agents, or representatives from conducting, supervising, or overseeing any elections related to the formation of the Rivers State executive committee.

Justice Ollor also prohibited the national leadership of the APC from implementing any plans to suspend the Emeka Beke-led state executives.

The case has been adjourned to September 9 for a hearing on the motion on notice.

This decision follows statements made by the dismissed chairman, Tony Okocha, who asserted that the party would not participate in the upcoming council elections.