APC crisis deepens as Ekiti aspirant sues Oshiomhole

The crisis hits the South-west of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as one of the Aspirants for the vacant position of the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party; Hon. Michael Akinleye has sued the National Chairman, Adam Oshiomhole.

Akinleye sued Oshiomhole over alleged plot to impose former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the party.

The plaintiffs, in an originating, summons dated October 30, 2018, filed before a Federal High court in Ado-Ekiti, through his counsel, Taiwo Omidoyin and Tunde Oke copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, said his right had been violated and grossly infringed upon by the action taken by the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee.

Akinleye who is the Chairman of APC in Ado Ekiti local government area of Ekiti State noted that he expressed his interest to vie for the position in a letter dated 20th January 2020, which he forwarded to Ekiti APC to nominate him for the position, and this he attached as exhibit.

Apart from Ajimobi and Akinleye, Senator Gbenga Aluko is also contesting for the vacant and was the preferred candidate from Ekiti APC caucus.

The seat became vacant since 2019 following the nomination, clearance and swearing-in of Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Joined in the suit apart from Oshiomhole included, the National Working Committee (2nd), National Vice Chairman, South West (3rd), APC South West Zonal Caucus (4th), Ekiti State Chairman of APC (5th) , Ekiti State Caucus of APC (6th), All Progressives Congress (7th) and Senator Abiola Ajimobi (8th).

The plaintiff asked the court to restraint the party from nominating Senator Ajimobi or anybody to the vacant position without following the due process and dictate of the APC constitution.

He also urged the court to determine whether Ajimobi’s imposition was not a violation of Articles 17 and 20 of the party, which stipulated that such position can only be filled by a consensus among aspirants or by elections during congress and convention.

The prayer of the claimant include, “an order compelling the party “to follow its constitution, customs and practices by filling the vacant position with a duly nominated candidate from Ekiti State to complete the unexpired tenure of four years mandate given to the State through the former occupier of the office, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who is currently the Minister for Trade, Industry and investment and not from Oyo State or any other States in Nigeria”.

“An order restraining the Southwest APC Caucus from forwarding the name of Senator Abiola Ajimobi or any other name to the National Chairman, National Working Committee, to fill the vacant office , having not followed the due process as enshrined in Articles 17 and 20 of APC constitution, pending the determination of the substantive suit .

“An order of the court restraining the National Chairman, National Working Committee and APC from accepting any nomination to the office of the Deputy National Chairman, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit in the case”.

Akinleye also asked the court to compel the National Chairman and National Working Committee to reject and disregard any name sent by the APC Southwest National Vice Chairman, the APC south west Caucus, to fill the position of the Deputy National Chairman, in the event that any name has already been sent pending the hearing and the determination of the substantive suit in the case.

He further urged the court to determine “whether the purported nomination of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman by the party organs and personalities was done in accordance with Article 20 of APC constitution, 2014, as amended.

“Whether the purported nomination of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman of APC, South, was done in line with the provision of Article 17 of APC Constitution, 2014, as amended, and the established customs and practices of the APC”.

The case has been scheduled for March 12 for definite hearing, after all the parties have been duly served.

However, when contacted, the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon Karounwi Oladapo, confirmed that the zonal caucus of the party and other respondents, had been duly served.

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