APGA CRISIS: Respite for Gov Obiano as Appeal Court sacks Agbaso, restores Oye

Controversies that trailed the primary that threw up Governor Willie Obiano as All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the forthcoming Anambra gubernatorial poll slated for November seem resolved, at least temporarily.

There had been concerns that the primary could be scuttled and Obiano denied the ticket because of strong opposition expressed by factional chairman of the party, Martin Agbaso.

In what looked like a perfect plot, Obiano had emerged as sole candidate in the primaries which held at Awka with over 99% of delegates voting ‘YES’ in his favour.

Speaking shortly after Obiano’s emergence, Agbaso had said, “What happened Tuesday was that Obiano demonstrated the height of impunity to an irresponsible level for someone who swore to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And that is one who swore to abide by the rules of the Courts of Nigeria that said that only the chairman that is recognised by law and NWC headed by a chairman that is recognised by law has the power to conduct primaries and Oye as at yesterday was not the legally recognised chairman of APGA.”

He vowed to forge ahead with the primary scheduled by his faction of the party for next Monday.

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However, respite came the way of Obiano and beleaguered chairman Victor Oye on Wednesday as the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal gave its judgement in favour of his faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Oye had gone to the Appeal Court, where he contended through his counsel, Emeka Etiaba, (SAN) that Agbaso was not the rightful claimant to the APGA chair. Those joined in the appeal were Anioke, APGA, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the IG of Police and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police.

In a unanimous judgement, the three-man Appeal Court judges sacked Agbaso and restated Oye. The judgement was read by Justice Abdul Aboki while justices Bolaji Yusus and Shatta Bdylya concurred with him.

“Where a party that is likely to be affected ‎is not joined, the judgement is null and void; there is no doubt that the order of the court affected the appelant. There is a breach of 6 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“It is null and void and without legal battle. Appeal is hereby allowed, ruling of the lower court is hereby set aside,” the Court held.

It is speculated that Martin Agbaso, who has just been ousted, may head for the Supreme Court.

 

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