An Abuja Federal High Court Presided by Justice A. R. Mohammed has adjourned hearing to 29th August, 2013 in the suit instituted by Barr. Maxi Okwu leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance against Chief Victor Umeh, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and Independent National Electoral Commission, demanding to be recognized as the authentic leadership of the party that will nominate candidates in the 16th November governorship election in Anambra state.
Oba Maduabuchi, lawyer for Barr Maxi Okwu, Ibrahim Carefor, Dickson Ogu, Gbenga Afeni and Abubakar Adamu representing all the National Officers elected on 8th April 2013, national convention of the party in Awka, Anambra State told the court that the defendants Umeh, Shinkafi and INEC had been served the court processes on 23rd August, 2013. He urged the Court to give the plaintiffs temporary relief by directing INEC to monitor the primaries to be conducted by the Okwu leadership of the party, stressing that time is of the essence.
Justice A. R. Mohammed of Court 7 directed that a fresh hearing notice be served on the defendants and adjourned hearing on the matter to Thursday 29th August, 2013.
It could be recalled that Okwu instituted suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2013 dated 18th August, 2013 filed by Oba Maduabuchi, counsel to Okwu and four others elected with him in the party’s national convention on 8th April, 2013 in Awka, the plaintiffs averred that the APGA convention and election on 10th February 2011, in Awka in which Umeh was re-elected National Chairman and Shinkafi National Secretary including other members of the National Working Committee was by voice vote contrary to Article 18(4) of the party constitution that stipulates elections shall be by secret ballots only.
The plaintiffs also asked the court to determine, “Whether the 2nd defendant (Shinkafi) can still validly occupy the position of National Secretary of APGA in 2013 when the constitution of the party provide a maximum tenure of eight years and he was first elected as National Secretary of the party on 10th January 2013, ten years ago’’.
The plaintiffs prayed the court for an order directing Umeh, Shinkafi and all the officers purportedly elected with them in February 2011 national convention by voice vote to vacate their various offices as their “election” was not in accordance with Article 18(4) of the APGA constitution which prescribes that elections shall be by secret ballot. They argued that the convention merely ratified the tenure of the National Working Committee Members by affirmation.
They also seek an order directing INEC to deal with the Maxi Okwu leadership of the party.
Victor Eneh
Senior Media Assistant to
Barr. Maxi Okwu National Chairman,
APGA
