APC crisis: Tinubu’s group heads to court over Ekiti congresses
By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
Dissatisfied with the conduct of the July 31 ward congress in Ekiti State, a group of supporters of the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, under the aegis of Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 Presidency, (SWAGA), has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to court – calling for outright cancellation of the election.
In a Suit Number FHC/AD/CS/21/2021 filed at the Federal High Court, Ekiti State Division, the group sought an interlocutory injunction stopping the conduct of the local government congress or an order declaring the outcome illegal.
Nigerian NewsDirect gathered that, the suit deposed to by 36 SWAGA members and contestants in the ward congress on behalf of 3,650 members of the group in Ekiti.
Joined in the suit are: APC (1st defendant), Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni (2nd defendant), Ekiti APC Chairman, Paul Omotoso (3rd defendant), Chairman, Ekiti Congress Screening Committee, Samuel Abejide (4th defendant) and the Independent National Electoral Commission(5th defendant).
The plaintiffs sought an order declaring the congress of the 1st defendant purportedly held on the July 31 and organized and conducted by or under the instruction/supervision of 2nd and 3rd defendant in Ekiti State as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
They also prayed the court to declare that the congress of the 1st defendant purportedly held in Ekiti State on the 31 day of July 2021 was in total breach of democratic norms and practices and violation of the constitution and guidelines issued by the 1st defendant for the conduct of the 2021 ward congresses.
Others include: “A declaration that no congress was held in Ekiti-State chapter of the 1st defendant as no result has been declared in respect of the congress as at the date of filling this case.
“A declaration that the 2nd defendant cannot hold the position of Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee of the 1st defendant as such appointment/role is a constitutional violation of section 187 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and article 8 of the 1st defendant’s constitution.
“A declaration that all actions or steps taken by the 1st defendant under the control, supervision, direction of the so called caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee of APC, headed by the 2nd defendant, including the conduct of ward congresses across Nigeria and Ekiti State on 31st July, 2021 was illegal and unconstitutional on the ground that the 2nd defendant under whose such steps or actions were taken was ineligible to superintend over 1st defendant party affairs while still serving in office as a Governor.
“A declaration that all committee/Ward congress committees set up by the 3rd defendant pursuant to the Ward Congress of 31st July 2021 was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and in total violation of the guidelines of the 1st defendant on conduct of the congress.”
They also sought an injunction restraining the 1st and 3rd defendant from conducting any further congresses into local government and state offices of 1st defendant in Ekiti State pending the determination of the substantive matter.
The plantiffs asked for an injunction restraining the 5th defendant from recognizing or dealing with any ward executive or officers purportedly produced in the ward congress of 31st July, 2021 in Ekiti State.
