The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all court cases instituted by members of the party in the state.
Recalls that the Benue State chapter of the APC has been embroiled in crises over the leadership position of the party.
The state governor, Rev Fr Hycainth Alia, has been in a cold war with the Austin Agada-led working committee over who will control the leadership of the party.
The governor subsequently appointed Benajmin Omakolo as the acting chairman after obtaining an injunction from the court, which restrained Agada from parading himself as the chairman of the party in the state.
However, Omakolo’s tenure was shortlived as the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, set aside an interim order restraining Agada from parading himself as the Chairman.
Justice Maurice Ikpambese ruled that the restraining order was granted in error as the judge did not have the jurisdiction to have given the interim injunction, seeing that the matter was not assigned by the State Chief Judge or a superior Judge.
However, in separate letters addressed to Agada and Governor Alia, on Thursday, the NWC urged all members who have instituted any matter in court against the party of any of its members to withdraw same within seven days.
The letters, signed by Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru APC national Secretary and Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (APC Legal Adviser), warned that failure to comply with the directive would lead to suspension or expulsion from the party.
To the governor, the NWC wrote, “This is to bring lo your attention the decision of the party on the ongoing cases involving the party or related issues concerning the party at various courts.
“The National Working Committee resolved that all ongoing cases filed in the name of the party or associated with matters concerning the party and involving party members must be discontinued and withdrawn from the courts within the next seven days.
“Failure to comply with this resolution will result in disciplinary action being taken against any member responsible for such suits, including immediate suspension and ultimately expulsion from the party.
The NWC also urged Agada to: “Coordinate with the State Legal Adviser and Secretary to encourage all members who have instituted any matter in court against the party of any of its members to withdraw same within seven days and also have documentary evidence of the withdrawal sent to the National Secretariat of the party.”
