COUNT DOWN ON Adams Oshiomhole’s likely exist as national chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, seem to have begun. He has been basking in the euphoria of his mastermind of the disqualification of Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor, south-south Nigeria, from contesting APC’s governorship primary on June 22.
Adams Oshiomhole and his disingenuous supporters in APC, are now faced with the reality of his suspension as National Chairman of the party, by Justice Danlami Senchi of Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on March 4 2020, which Abuja Court of Appeal has upheld, on Tuesday, June 16.
Justice Eunice Onyemanam, of Abuja Court of Appeal, Tuesday, led a unanimous judgement, that upheld the judgement of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, that ordered the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, as well as, parading himself as the national chairman, and dismissed Oshiomhole’s appeal against the FCT High Court judgement.
The Justices held that the trial court had territorial jurisdiction to have entertained the suit as it did. The Appeal Court further withdrew Oshiomhole’s rights and privileges as national chairman of the party, including his security details. The Appeal Court decision is predicated on the ground that Oshiomhole, the first appellant, is based in Abuja, while APC, also has its national headquarters in Abuja.
The unanimous judgement of the second appeal was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lamido. The Appeal Court held that there was no basis for the two appellants to hold that they were denied fair hearing during the proceedings at the trial court. It held, further, that the suspension of Oshiomhole from Ward 10 of Etsako Local Government of Edo State, was ratified at the Ward, Local Government and State levels as required by law.
“The identity of those who suspended Oshiomhole was not in doubt because in their unchallenged affidavit they made it clear that they were party members and officers of the party, therefore the appeal lacks merit,” the Appeal Court held.
In the meantime, APC’s National Working Committee, NWC, has appointed the party’s Deputy National Chairman, South, Abiola Ajimobi, former Governor of Oyo State, as the acting national chairman.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that the decision became imperative as a result of the Appeal Court judgement, suspending Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
