Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Ezeokenwa as APGA National Chairman, Resolves Leadership Dispute

The ongoing leadership crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has reached a significant resolution, as the Supreme Court has affirmed Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the legitimate national chairman of the party. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a long-standing legal battle that had seen conflicting rulings and a protracted leadership tussle between Ezeokenwa and Chief Edozie Njoku....Read Full Article >>➤

A Landmark Judgment by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered on November 27, 2024, resolved the legal conflict that had plagued APGA’s leadership for over a year. In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Stephen Adah, ruled that Chief Edozie Njoku’s claim to the party chairmanship was invalid. The court’s judgment effectively restored Barrister Ezeokenwa as the authentic chairman of the party, following his election at the APGA elective convention held in May 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.

This ruling came after a series of legal battles, with Ezeokenwa and Njoku both claiming to be the rightful leaders of the party. Since 2023, their rivalry had been at the center of multiple litigations and court decisions, leading to confusion within the party and among its supporters.

INEC’s Response to the Court’s Decision

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Mr. Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced that INEC had fully complied with the court’s decision. Olumekun confirmed that the commission had updated its records to reflect Barrister Ezeokenwa as the official national chairman of APGA, restoring his name on INEC’s website.

“We have been served with the Supreme Court’s judgment recognizing Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the chairman of APGA. In compliance with the judgment, we have restored his name and status on our website,” Olumekun said during a press briefing on Tuesday night.

The Battle for APGA Leadership

The leadership crisis within APGA traces its roots back to May 2023, when Barrister Ezeokenwa was elected national chairman of the party at an elective convention held in Awka. However, Njoku’s faction, which held its own convention in Owerri, Imo State, had also declared him as the national chairman. This conflict triggered multiple legal actions, with both sides seeking recognition from INEC and the judiciary.

In July 2024, INEC withdrew its recognition of Ezeokenwa and started relating with Njoku, following a court order. However, the Supreme Court’s judgment definitively settled the dispute by affirming Ezeokenwa’s position, ruling that the earlier court decisions favoring Njoku did not hold legal weight.

Financial Implications and Legal Repercussions

The legal saga has not only been a battle for control of the party but has also come with financial consequences. The Supreme Court’s ruling included an order for Njoku’s faction to pay a hefty penalty of N20 million for each of the three appeals they lost. The court’s decision to impose financial penalties serves as a reminder of the serious implications of such political disputes, which can affect not just the parties involved but the entire political landscape.

A Divided Party: Ezeokenwa vs. Njoku

The tension between the two factions of APGA has been a source of division within the party. Ezeokenwa, elected at the May 2023 convention, had been recognized as the legitimate chairman by the majority of party members, but Njoku’s faction refused to accept this outcome. Their legal battle had cast a shadow over APGA’s internal affairs, with the party’s future often hanging in the balance as the courts weighed in on the matter.

For Ezeokenwa, the Supreme Court’s judgment represents a hard-earned victory and a significant step toward unifying the party under his leadership. For Njoku, the ruling marks the end of his contested claim to the chairmanship, though the financial penalties imposed by the court add further weight to the setback.

Looking Ahead: APGA’s Path to Stability

With the leadership dispute now officially resolved, APGA faces the challenge of moving forward as a unified party. Barrister Ezeokenwa’s supporters have expressed confidence that the party will now focus on strengthening its structures and moving towards the upcoming elections with a clear leadership direction.

For the party’s members and supporters, the resolution of the leadership crisis provides an opportunity for stability and growth. However, the question remains whether the internal divisions will subside completely or whether they will continue to influence the party’s activities in the coming months.

The Supreme Court’s decision also sends a message to political parties about the importance of adhering to legal processes and upholding the rule of law in resolving internal conflicts. As APGA looks toward its future, the hope is that the party can put aside its internal struggles and focus on contributing to Nigeria’s democratic development.

In conclusion, the ruling by the Supreme Court has brought clarity to a prolonged and contentious leadership dispute within APGA. With Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa now officially recognized as the party’s national chairman, APGA can begin the process of healing and preparing for the next chapter in its political journey…….Click Here to Read Full Article ...Read Full Article >>➤