New Twist in APC Crisis, As Sokoto High Court Restrains It From Appointing Issa-Onilu, Others Into NWC

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Ahead of the scheduled emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), of the ruling All Progressives Congress, a Sokoto State High Court presided over by Justice Mohammed Mohammed has issued an order restraining the party from appointing or electing the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu or any member of the party into its top positions except through a National Convention.

National Vice Chairman (North West) of the APC, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir went to court to challenge the appointment of Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu as National Publicity Secretary, which he declared was not carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution

The APC National Working Committee announced the appointments of former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and three others as national officers of the party two weeks ago.

The restraining interim Order issued and dated March 13, 2020 and made available to Forefront News , was granted by Justice Mohammed following a case instituted by Abdulkadir, who is the Plaintiff; against the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, and INEC, who are listed as first, second and third defendants.

Abdulkadir prayed the court to grant him; “An order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants or any other organ of the APC being the 1st defendant from appointing or electing Issa-Onilu being the 2nd defendant or any member of the APC in substantive capacity or whatsoever save and except through a National Convention in accordance with the constitution of the APC pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice on SS/M. 106/ 2020 before this court.

The plaintiff also asked the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants or any other organ of the 1st defendant except the National Convention from appointing, electing or ratifying the appointment of 2nd defendant or any member of the 1st defendant into the National Executive committee except in compliance with the APC’s constitution as well as in accordance with the provisions of section 233 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice on SS/M. 106/ 2020 now before this court.

Abdulkadir also prayed the Court for any further orders that it may deem fit to make in the circumstance.