In a significant development that could reshape the political landscape of Rivers State, a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has nullified the dissolution of the Emeka Beke-led executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court presided over by Justice Sika Aprioku, declared the actions of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in removing the elected state executive as unlawful and unconstitutional.
Reacting to the court ruling, Hon. Tony Okocha, in a press briefing, described the ruling as unjust, noting that the decision of the party ought to have been supreme in the eyes of the court.
“It is not a surprise to us that the judge took that voyage. From what I know about the judiciary when a case of bias is raised against a trial judge before a matter commences, the judge must recuse himself from the matter.
“In this case, the judge failed to hide his bias even after he was accused.
“There are some people who were part of the plot, and they all agreed that the judgment that should be delivered must embarrass the party at the national level.
“The National Working Committee of the APC had previously removed Emeka Beke for anti-party activities. In their wisdom, the party decided to lay off an exco that had been proven to be against the party.”
Justice Aprioku’s ruling underscored the autonomy of state chapters of the APC, asserting that the NWC lacks the authority to dissolve an elected state executive committee before the expiration of its tenure.
The court’s decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for the party’s internal dynamics and its electoral prospects in the state.
Further highlighting his angst, Okocha noted that while the Supreme Court had repeatedly stated that the political party’s decision was supreme, Justice Aprioku still nullified the party’s decisions despite several assertions by his lawyers.
Okocha reiterated his stance on Justice Aprioku’s biased judgment, stating that he was bribed.
“Our senior advocate was able to raise the issue with the Supreme Court, but because the judge had already been paid, he decided to go the other way. This matter will go to the Supreme Court.
“He made attempts at me to bring money, but I said no. I want to assure you, gentlemen of the press, and also our teeming supporters, that we are aware of the hand of the monkey inside the soup. But can they psychologize us into docility? The answer is, no. We are wiser than they think.”
The reinstatement of the Beke-led executive marks a major victory for the faction loyal to the embattled chairman. It also sets a precedent for other state chapters facing similar leadership crises, potentially emboldening them to challenge the overreach of the party’s national leadership.
The political landscape in Rivers State is expected to witness further developments as the implications of this ruling unfold.
Politics itself is a game of many ways.
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