Court sacks APC Exco in Bayelsa, nullifies ward, state congresses

• Published date: 21 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sacked the State Executive Council (Exco) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The court also nullified ward, local government and state congresses held between September 3 and 4, 2021 and October 16, 2021. Justice Timipre J. Cocodia, said the Bayelsa State High Court on Friday upheld the eight prayers of the plaintiff over issues of exclusion, anomalies and disobedience to court order over the conduct of the ward, LG and state congresses.

Suit No. YHC/107/2021, filed by some aggrieved members of the party in the state: Ompadec Victor, Esuenifen Obi and Seimiegha Ebibofe Agbozu, had sought an interim injunction stopping the conduct of the ward congress in the state. The same claims were made in the further amended originating summons with Alex Izibenikiebo Blankson as plaintiff and State Chairman of the APC, Barrister Denis Otiotio, and three others as defendants

Justice Iniekenimi Uzaka, had, however, granted the interim injunction but the party (APC) went ahead with the conduct of the congresses at the ward, LG and state levels which produced Denis Otiotio-led state executive and other executives at the ward and LG levels.

In the matter before the court, the plaintiffs sought among other claims a declaration that having regard to the order of the honourable court, made on July 30, 2021 in the suit No: YHC/107/2021, restraining the defendant from conducting its wards, LG and state...