Dr. Okorie denounces Soludo’s propaganda, reaffirms Njoku’s leadership as Court confirms APGA verdict
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been embroiled in controversy regarding its leadership, with false claims and misinformation circulating about Chief Edozie Njoku’s status as National Chairman.
Despite the confusion, the legal standing of Njoku’s position is firmly supported by recent judicial rulings.
Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie, Chairman of the APGA Board of Trustees and the party’s founder, has issued a strong rebuttal against the misleading narratives being promoted about the party’s leadership.
According to Okorie, some individuals are disseminating false information about Njoku’s leadership and the legitimacy of the National Working Committee (NWC) under his guidance.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fully complied with the Supreme Court’s judgment dated March 23, 2023, which validated the national convention held in Owerri, Imo State on May 31, 2019,” Okorie stated. This convention, he added, saw the legitimate election of Chief Edozie Njoku and the NWC members.
The confusion has largely stemmed from references to an earlier Supreme Court judgment from October 14, 2021, which was later discredited. In a letter dated November 7, 2022, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, now retired, acknowledged significant errors in that judgment, including incorrect naming and procedural flaws.
She noted that “the name of Chief Victor Oye kept recurring in the record of the judgment instead of the right party to the proceedings, Chief Edozie Njoku.”
Okorie outlined the key errors in the October 2021 judgment:
1. Incorrect Suit Number: The judgment was mistakenly assigned to a different suit with unrelated parties and issues.
2. Denial of Fair Hearing: Chief Edozie Njoku, who had sought to join the proceedings, was not included, contrary to an earlier order for all interested parties to be joined.
3. Error in Court of Appeal: The Court of Appeal in Kano recognised its mistake in excluding Njoku, acknowledging that this denial violated his right to fair hearing.
4. Misidentification: The October 2021 judgment erroneously listed Victor Oye as the national chairman instead of Njoku. This error was corrected by Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun in the March 24, 2023 ruling, which clearly stated that Njoku should be recognised as the Chairman.
The corrected judgment, now officially recorded as (2023 LPELR/61016(SC), Suit No SC/CV/686/21), confirms APGA’s involvement and Njoku’s rightful position. The erroneous October 2021 ruling has been discarded from Supreme Court records.
On June 6, 2023, the FCT High Court 40, Bwari, upheld Njoku’s chairmanship. Despite this, Chief Victor Oye’s appeal against the court’s decision and his contempt conviction was unanimously dismissed by the Court of Appeal on June 28, 2024.
The press release criticizes Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s handling of the APGA leadership issue, accusing him of promoting illegitimate actions and disregarding judicial decisions. The APGA has faced persistent internal and external challenges, including accusations of political manipulation and improper leadership practices.
“The party has been reduced to a battleground of political brigands,” Okorie lamented. “It is time for a return to democratic principles and respect for the rule of law.”
