APC crisis worsens as Sokoto court rules against Issa-Onilu, others

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new dimension, as a Sokoto High Court has restrained the party from appointing or electing “Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu or any member” into its top positions except through a National Convention.

The order of the court, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, was dated 13th March 2020.

The APC National Vice Chairman (North West) Inuwa Abdulkadir instituted the matter leading to the order to challenge the appointment of the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, which he claimed was not done in accordance with the provisions of the APC Constitution.

It would also be recalled that the National Working Committee of the ruling party had recently announced the appointments of the immediate Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi others as national officers of the party.

Justice Mohammed Mohammed, who presided over the case granted the interim order against the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, and INEC who are listed as first, second and third defendants.

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The prayer of the plaintiff included the following: “An order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants or any other organ of the 1st defendant from appointing or electing 2nd defendant or any member of the 1st defendant in substantive capacity or whatsoever save and except through a National Convention in accordance with the constitution of the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice on SS/ M. 106/ 2020 now pending before this court.

“An order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants or any other organ of the 1st defendant except the National Convention from appointing, electing or ratifying the appointment of 2nd defendant or any member of the 1st defendant into the National Executive committee except in compliance with the 1st defendant’s constitution as well as in accordance with the provisions of section 233 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice on SS/M. 106/ 2020 now before this court.

“And for any further orders that the court will deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

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