A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has reaffirmed Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court also ruled that the party’s National Vice Chairman, North-East, Alhaji Mustapha Salihu, should act as National Secretary.
The rulings of the court Thursday followed ex parte motions filed by Salihu.
Justice S.U. Bature held that his ruling would subsist pending the time the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party convenes and takes a decision or determination of the suit.
Crisis erupted in the party following Tuesday’s Appeal Court judgment upholding the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman.
In ruling, the appellate court declare actions of Oshiomhole as chairman between the March 16 suspension by a lower court as null and void and that he ceased to enjoy the benefits and privileges of office including his security details.
An Abuja High Court on March 16 ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the APC.
While the party announced former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, as Acting Chairman, Giadom declared resting on March 16 ruling upheld by Appeal Court resumed office as Acting National Chairman.
But members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party met Wednesday after Giadom had resumed and nominated the party’s Vice Chairman, South South, Chief Hilliard Eta, to act on behalf of Ajimobi who was “unavoidably absent”.
Strictly by law, it was gathered, there is no question of Hope Uzodinma-led primary election and appeal committees because the process that set up the screening and appeal committees which led to them are already voided by orders of the courts.
By the latest development, the controversies surrounding the leadership of the APC may have been settled as Giadom will now lead the ruling party of Africa’s most populous country for the next 14 days until NEC of the party determines the next line of action.
The difference between Oshiomhole and Giadom is, while NWC is final power in decision making in Oshiomhole’s thinking as he emphatically said on Channels Television on Wednesday, Giadom believes it is not done that NWC will take vital decisions affecting the party without recourse to the NEC because, he said also on ChannelsTV that, the NEC is an organ of political system that gives the directions that party follows.
The Court Interim Order
