Politics
APGA Leadership Crisis: Supreme Court Reverses Self
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The leadership crisis affecting the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has entered into another chapter, with the Supreme Court, reversing itself.
In a ruling on Monday, the apex court upheld the appeal of Edozie Njoku, thereby reinstating him as the national chairman of the party.
Flaunting a copy of the said judgment before journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Njoku explained that he approached the Supreme Court to review its earlier judgment on the matter and that the apex court consequently ruled in his favor.
He said, “I was removed by the lower court in Jigawa State. We went on an appeal and we saw what happened at the Appeal Court. We went to the Supreme Court; things happened, but the Supreme Court is full of wise men and women. And we took our time, asked them to look at that thing again and yesterday (Monday), it was revised.
“Not revised but they just took the name; it is just a name that was inserted where it was supposed to have been and they now put things back in place.”
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Recall that Njoku after being sacked by the lower court went on to lose at the appellate court. Dissatisfied with those rulings, he approached the Supreme Court on the matter, which led to the revised judgment delivered on Monday.
He called on all aggrieved party members, especially the sacked national chairman, Victor Oye, to close ranks in the interest of the party.
He assured that more information would be shared with the public on how the intends to navigate the national political terrain, after “a meeting of key stakeholders of the party”.
“We are going to have another press conference but what I really want to do is to thank all Nigerians who have stood behind justice, who have stood behind the truth, all those who have labored under the side of truth. For the past four years, we have been crying,” he added.
He specially solicited the support of members of the party’s national working committee and appealed to members who exited the party to come back.
Njoku said, “And I beg the seven members of the National Working Committee to calm down. We have to reduce the rhetoric of insulting one another. Oye is a gentleman and I have high respect for him as a former national chairman of our party.
“He (Oye) will be one of those I will reach out to, and he is not an imposter. He was the national chairman of APGA from 2015 to 2019. We should respect him as the former national chairman of the party no matter his shortcomings which we can say are excessive but everyone has his own shortcomings.”
Former federal legislator Sam Onuigbo has commended President Bola Tinubu for his contributions to the South-East region, urging continued support for his initiatives.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Friday, Onuigbo lauded Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law.
Onuigbo described the SEDC as a significant milestone for the South-East, noting that it would address the lingering impact of the Civil War and promote regional empowerment through education.
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While acknowledging the efforts of past leaders in the region, he argued that Tinubu’s achievements stand out.
As the South-East representative on the Board of the North-East Development Commission, Onuigbo highlighted that the region had awaited this opportunity for over five decades since the end of the Civil War.
He further praised Tinubu’s commitment to nation-building and called on the South-East to recognize and support the president’s efforts.
He said, “We were fortunate during the eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo to have had five Senate Presidents from the South-East. We also had a Deputy Senate President for 12 years and, of course, a Deputy Speaker.
“However, despite these, we were unable to secure a specific commission focused on addressing the devastations of the Civil War.”
Onuigbo highlighted that President Tinubu’s approval of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers, marks a key milestone for the region.
He noted Tinubu’s accomplishments since taking office on 29 May 2023, including appointing a Service Chief from the South-East, backing a Deputy Speaker, and other significant appointments.
“We are seeing many other appointments coming from him,” Onuigbo said.
He emphasized the importance of encouraging leaders who are making positive strides, stating, “When someone is doing well, what you do is encourage them to do even more.”
Additionally, Onuigbo reaffirm that Tinubu’s efforts in the South-East merit recognition, support, and commendation.
The Supreme Court has dismissed separate appeals by the Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
The apex court rejected the appeals filed by the LP candidate, Athan Achonu, and the PDP candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, due to a lack of merit.
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The court upheld Uzodinma’s election, affirming the decisions of the Imo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court, both of which had dismissed the petitions earlier.
Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the LP and PDP candidates failed to prove allegations of over-voting and other electoral malpractices in the November 11, 2023, election.
Governor Uzodinma praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, describing it as well-researched and dedicating the legal victory to the people of Imo State.
He said, “A few hours ago, the Supreme Court confirmed me as the duly elected Governor of Imo State, arising from the November 11th, 2023 governorship election.
“It is, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I thank God Almighty for granting me another victory after I had also emerged victorious at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal
“I express my gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by those who wanted sentiments to obfuscate justice.
“When Imo people overwhelmingly reelected me last year as their governor, it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state.
“During my second tenure inauguration, I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God.
“Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, I rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo state.”
As part of efforts to instill discipline and regain lost political grounds, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated two important committees.
The former ruling party gave the details in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Thursday.
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It wrote, “Our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig today, inaugurated two very important Committees to strengthen Party unity and discipline.
“The first Committee is the Reconciliation Committee, which is chaired by the former Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The Committee shall work with other organs of the Party to resolve all internal conflicts in the Party, foster harmony among Party members and promote party cohesion.
“The second Committee which is the Disciplinary Committee is chaired by High Chief Tom Ikimi. The Committee shall amongst other things address misconduct and indiscipline in the Party, ensure accountability and fairness and uphold party ethics and values.
“The Committees will help to build a stronger and more united Party, that is ready to serve the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The inauguration marks another significant step towards a more robust and effective PDP, committed to good governance and the well-being of all Nigerians.”
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