Why We Can’t Recognise Njoku As APGA Chairman – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied the allegation that it refused to obey the Supreme Court judgement on the leadership tussle in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The commission in a statement issued by Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye, is a law-abiding institution and will continue to give effect to the decisions, judgements, and orders of the various courts in Nigeria.

Okoye noted that Edozie Njoku who is laying claim to the Chairmanship of the party, was not a party to the suit filed by
one Alhaji Rabiu Garba Aliyu at Jigawa State High Court against Chief Jude Okeke and three others.

“One of the reliefs sought is a ‘declaration that the national officers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, including the plaintiff, who were elected at its national convention held in Owerri, Imo State on 31st May 2019 shall remain in office and discharge their respective duties for a term of four years commencing from 31st May 2021,’” Okoye said.

He recalled that on June 30, 2021, the Jigawa State High Court in suit No: JDU/022/2021 entered judgement in favour of the said Alhaji Rabiu Garba Aliyu.

“On appeal, the Court of Appeal described the suit as an abuse of court process.

“Consequently, the entire proceedings of the Jigawa State High Court in suit No. JDU/022/2021, delivered by Musa Ubale J on 30th June 2021 and the judgement delivered thereon are accordingly set aside.

“The Supreme Court in its judgement of 14th October 2021 affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal,” he added.

According to him, “On 27th January 2023, Chief Edozie Njoku, who was never a party to any of the suits and the processes filed in the various courts approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria as an interested person/applicant and filed a Motion on Notice seeking for an order of the Court to correct ‘typographical errors and accidental slip’ in the lead judgement of the Supreme Court.

“This was granted and the correction did not in any way affect the substance of the suit and the orders made by the Supreme Court.”

Okoye described as cheap blackmail, the circulation of the posters and statements, accusing INEC of recognising Njoku as National Chairman, and said it was “aimed at hoodwinking those not abreast of the details of the case.

“We wish to state that the issues in question are about facts, the law, and due process not amenable to hysteria and appeal to sentiments.

“The courts are not helpless when they make orders, deliver judgments and make pronouncements.

“They also have the capacity to punish for disobedience of their orders and judgements in committal proceedings.

“This is the process open to law-abiding citizens, groups, and organizations rather than resorting to cheap blackmail and using amorphous groups to malign the Commission and its officials.”