By Tunde Opalana
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it has not recognized Chief Efozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The explanation was given by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the clarification became expedient because of erroneous allegations that the Commission refused to obey court ruling on the party’s leadership tussle.
Okoye in the statement said the attention of INEC was “drawn to posters and statements being circulated by an amorphous group accusing the Commission of refusal to obey the judgement of the Supreme Court purportedly recognizing one Chief Edozie Njoku “as the authentic National Chairman of APGA”.
According to him, the Commission viewed the circulation of the posters and statements as cheap blackmail 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.
“It is noteworthy that the suit in question started from the Jigawa State High Court, initiated by one Alhaji Rabiu Garba Aliyu against Chief Jude Okeke and three others. Chief Edozie Njoku was not a party to the suit. 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.
“On 30th June 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.
“However, 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.
“The Commission is a law-abiding institution and will continue to give effect to the decisions, judgements and orders of the various courts in Nigeria.
“The Courts are not helpless when they make orders, deliver judgements 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,” Okoye clarified.
Credit: DAILY TRUST, ADA ADA.
