The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the recent High Court judgment that reinstated the dissolved Rivers State APC Executive Committee, labeling it a complete abuse of court processes.
Speaking to journalists after a lengthy meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, reaffirmed the party’s stance, stating that the national leadership continues to recognize the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate chairman of the Rivers State APC chapter.
The court case in question, identified as Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023, named the National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, as defendants, but notably excluded the party itself as a party to the suit.
In its formal response to the judgment, the NWC asserted that the ruling is not binding on the APC since the party was not included as a party in the lawsuit. They emphasized that there is an existing and valid court judgment against Chief Emeka Beke and Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, former leaders of the Rivers State APC, which remains in effect.
Among other matters discussed at the NWC meeting, it was announced that the party’s leadership has scheduled Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for September 11 and 12, respectively.
Addressing rumors about plans to remove National Chairman Ganduje and redeploy him as an ambassador, the NWC denied any knowledge of such moves, dismissing the reports as baseless.
“You would recall that there was a recent court judgment reinstating the Emeka Beke executive council at the expense of the Caretaker Committee set up by the NWC. However, before this judgment, a ruling had already sacked the Emeka Beke executive committee, leading to the establishment of the caretaker committee, which they have since appealed,” Fuanter explained.
He further clarified that the matter is still pending before the Court of Appeal, and the NWC regards the reinstatement of the Beke-led committee as a clear abuse of court process. The NWC remains committed to recognizing the appeal and maintaining Tony Okocha’s Caretaker Committee until the appeal is resolved.
Regarding the upcoming NEC meeting, the NWC confirmed that the dates have been set for September 11 and 12, contingent on the President’s approval. The leadership also reiterated that they are not aware of any plans involving an ambassadorial appointment for the National Chairman, and are waiting to see how the situation develops.
