The leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken deeper dimension following the order from a Federal High Court in Abuja to extend for the next two weeks an earlier order directing Victor Giadom to act as the National Chairman of the party following the suspension of the embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Extension of the order came after Mr Giadom took over the leadership of the party and also dismissed the party’s announcement of former Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi as acting chairman.
Justice Samiru Umar Bature who gave the order on June 16, said Giadom can act as APC’s National Chairman unhindered “unless otherwise decided by the National Executive Committee of the 4th defendant (APC).”
The motion marked FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 read in part;
“Upon listening to Wole Afolabi, Esq. counsel to the plaintiff /applicant praying this honourable court to extend the lifespan of the order of this court made on the 16th of march 2020 as per a motion ex-parte, with motion No: FCT/HC/CV/6447/2020 , praying this Honourable Court for the following orders:
“An interim order of this honourable Court allowing Chief Victor Giadom (present Acting National Secretary) to pilot the affairs of the 4th defendant as Acting Chairman and to preside at all meetings of the National Executive Committee pending the decision of the National Executive committee of the 4th defendant fixed for 17th March, 2020 or any other subsequent adjourned date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
*An interim order of this honourable court restraining the 4th defendant and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4th defendant from preventing or in any way disturbing Chief Victor Giadom (present Acting National Secretary) from functioning as the Acting Chairman (unless otherwise decided by the National Executive Committee of the 4th defendant) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice
“Consequently and in line with Rule No.5 of the COVID 19 Practice Directions of the FCT High Court, 2020, the order of this court made on the 16th day of March, 2020 is hereby extended for a period of two (2) weeks.
“Application is a hereby granted as prayed.”
Justice Bature had on March 16, 2020 ordered that Giadom should assume the position of the party’s Acting National Chairman, while Comrade Mustapha Salihu who claimed to be the APC’s National Vice Chairman (North East) can act as the party’s Secretary.
Oshiomhole however obtained an order ex-parte on the same March 16, 2020 stopping the execution of the March 4, 2020 order by Justice Senchi which suspended him.
Following the court of appeal’s ruling on Oshiomhole’s suspension, a lawyer to the plaintiff in the suit by Salihu, Wole Afolabi returned to Justice Bature’s court for an extension of the earlier orders which was granted.
The orders bore a stamp which indicated that they were released by the court on June 18, 2020. The order made in respect of Salihu was on a motion marked:FCT/HC/M/7707/2020, and it read;
“Upon careful consideration of the motion ex-parte with motion No. M/7707/2020 and the accompanying affidavit of Ohiniva Ugwu, and upon listening to Wole Afolabi Esq., counsel for the plaintiff/applicant, praying this honourable court for the following orders:
“An interim order of this honourable court permitting the applicant (Comrade Mustapha Sallhu) who is the present National Vice Chairman (North East) of the 4th defendant (the All Progressives Congress) to act as the National Secretary of the 4th defendant pending the decision of a validly convened National Executive Committee or pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed (whichever comes first).”
