Enugu Court of Appeal judgment is  belated –  APC chairman

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – The embattled Acting chairman  of All Progressive Congress APC, Anambra state chapter Chief Basil Ejidike has stated that the Enugu Appeal Court judgment, that reinstated   Barrister Emeka Ibe as party  chairman  was  belated.

Ejidike who spoke to our Correspondent  via phone said that what  necessitated the court action  had been addressed and taken  over  by event.

He said that he was never elected chairman but an acting chairman who came into being in   2019 when the party dissolved all the elected chairmen  in the country including the then national chairman , Adams Oshiomhole.

“I think the judgment was for the elected chairman who had been treated. I am not in court with any body. I was never elected.  I am just acting chairman who came to power when the party dissolved all the party executives  both state and federal. Honestly, the judgment is belated because the party has gone beyond that issues now  ” he said .

 Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu had on Tuesday  reinstated Barrister Emeka Ibe as the Anambra  state APC chairman. By the judgment, it is assumed that Chief Basil Ejidike, the acting chairman has been removed

The appeal court set aside the judgment of the High Court , Awka which sacked Emeka Ibe in 2020.  APC appointed Basil Ejidike as Acting Chairman for  Anambra State chapter on 11st  January  2019 as a   Federal High Court in Awka in December 2018 sacked the then  state chairman of the party, Emeka Ibe, and other members of the executive committee of the party in the state.

The chairmanship aspirant of the party, Onyi Uzochukwu had  dragged them to court after the party’s congress. According to  an Awka high  court , Mr Ibe was not properly nominated, as he did not purchase the form of the party as required by the party’s guidelines.

Given the Awka High Court  judgment , the national chairman  of the party Adams Oshiomhole, appointed Mr Ejidike in a letter dated January 11 to the State Deputy Chairman, to communicate the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC).

The letter reads: “The Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has appointed Hon. Basil Ejidike as Acting Chairman for the Anambra State chapter.

“I wish to convey the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) to appoint you (Hon. Basil Ejidike) as Acting Chairman in line with the provisions of our Party’s Constitution.

“You are hereby appointed as Acting State Chairman with all powers and privileges of the Office of State Chairman and you are to work harmoniously with the stakeholders, State executives and all our candidates in the State.

“I want to use this opportunity to extend goodwill and best wishes of the National Working Committee (NWC) and equally encourage you to remain committed towards ensuring the success of all our candidates in the forthcoming General Elections.”