The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the judgement of Rivers High Court sitting in Port Harcourt which affirmed a loyalist of former Governor Rotimi Ameachi as the state chairman of the party.
The APC NWC, however, reaffirmed Sir Tony Okocha as the Rivers State party chairman in acting capacity.
A Rivers State High Court had on Monday ruled in favour of Ameachi’s ally, Emeka Beke, as the APC State chairman.
Reacting to the development at a press conference after its weekly NWC meeting, the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Barrister Festus Fuanters said the Court judgement was not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.
Flatters said: “We want to categorically state and inform the public that the position of the Party, All Progressives Congress in the judgment delivered by the Rivers High Court per. Justice §. Aprioko in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023 wherein the Court reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee that it is not binding on the Party (APC).
“The claimant in the said case sued the National Chairman and Secretary of our great Party and not the Party itself and you cannot sue an agent of a disclosed principal. That a Court Judgment/Ruling/Order is not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.
“In suit no: PHC/3592/CS/2023 between Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 Ors wherein the Court reinstated the Rivers State Executive Committee earlier dissolved by APC, is not binding on APC because it was not joined as a party in the suit.
“Secondly, there is a valid and subsisting Court Judgment against Chief Emeka Beke & Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (former Rivers State APC Chairman and Legal Adviser) respectively wherein they were removed from office. The said case suit No. PHC/925/CS/2023 Omiete Efrebo & 9 Ors. Vs. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 ors., were removed from office. It is pertinent to state here that the said judgment has been appealed against by Chief Emeka Beke and it is pending before the Court of Appeal.
“In view of the above, the Party still recognizes the erstwhile Caretaker Committee set up to oversee the affairs of the Party in the State.”
