A High Court in Makurdi has declared the seven-man caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Nigeria, invalid.
The Court presided over by Honourable Justice T. A. Kume ruled in favour of the State Chairman of APC, Comrade Austin Agada, stating that the dissolution of the exco was not in line with the party’s constitution and violated the rights of fair hearing.
The court also declared all actions taken by the national secretariat of APC to replace the Austin Agada-led state working committee as null and void.
Legal counsel for Austin Agada Yakubu Philemon, SAN praised the judgment, stating that all issues in the case were decided in Agada’s favour.
The court dismissed preliminary objections and found the dissolution of the APC working committee to be unconstitutional.
Following the judgment, Austin Agada remains the recognized chairman of APC in Benue State, and his committee remains the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Dan Morgan Ihomun congratulated party members on the victory and expressed gratitude for their support giving assurance that the Agada led exco would use the victory to unite aggrieved members of the party to work together for peace, growth and development of the state.
On his part, the state legal adviser of APC, Matthew Alyebo, Esq emphasized that the removal of Agada and his committee was illegal and that all actions taken by the caretaker committee appointed by the national secretariat of APC are invalid.
“This includes the recent Local Government elections in Benue State and nominations made by the caretaker committee.”
The court’s decision has been met with approval from party members, including former party Chairman, Comrade Aba Yaro and Hon. Ene Ameh Agbo, the sole Chairman elect for Okpokwu Local Government, who expressed disappointment in Governor Hyacinth Alia governor for his treatment of those who helped him come to power.
The court’s ruling has been seen as a vindication of the Agada-led committee and a validation of their mandate.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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