Crisis Rocks Ogun APC As Court Nullifies Congress Result

A federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission , Nigeria Police and All Progressives Congress in Ogun State to recognize and deal only with winners of May 5, 2018 Congress in Ifo Ward 1, 2,3 and 11 .
The court also ordered the Party to conduct fresh congress in Coker ward 10 for election of new ward executive following the report that the election was inconclusive. The copy of the judgement obtained by The Tide in Abeokuta revealed that the suit was filed in the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, but, was transferred to Lagos court for adjudication during the vacation.
The suit was filed by some aggrieved members and leaders of the party who include ; Asimiyu Aderibigbe, Tope Lawal, Segun Abolade, Ramon Sodipo, Evangelist Solomon Isola, Evang. Folorunso Ojerinde, Chief Kola Olutola, Hon. Monsuru Akinyele, Alhaji Okesola and Mr. Dare Aninkan on behalf of themselves and other winners of party congress elections in ward 1,2,3 & 11 and contestants in ward 10.
The Presiding Judge , Justice M.S Hassan held that “political parties ought not to act on their own whims and caprices as they are regulated under the constitution and the Electoral act . Justice Hassan said any act of disobedience to the party rules and the electoral act “ constitute an offence punishable upon conviction with a fine”.
The court also held “ hence forth all elective and appointive posts in the wards in Ifo 1 State Constituency must be filled through direct or indirect primaries according to Article 20 (ii & iii) of the Party Constitution”.
While reacting to the judgment, a Party Leader in Ifo Constituency 1 and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and entrenchment of internal democracy in APC at the grass root level.
According to him,” Our group OSF/SIA original forum has been under political bondage of some leaders in Ifo 1 in the last few years, to the extent that as at today we have no stake in our L.G council/ LCDA,all members of our group in the party have been removed from all Local Government / LCDA services and patronage as if we are no longer part of the Government, they cornered everything the State gave to Ifo and our members don’t benefit. “