The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka on Wednesday declared as a nullity, wards, local government, and state congresses held by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in January 2022 in Anambra.
The party had conducted congresses that produced Mr. Basil Ejidike as the state chairman.
But Justice Ike Ogu of High Court four Awka, who delivered a judgment on the matter, ruled that the exercise contravened the initial Interlocutory injunction earlier issued by his court.
Ogu, whose judgment on the suit filed by one Lawrence Emegini and others ruled that the plaintiff’s case succeeded.
The court said that the tenure of wards, local government and states executives elected during the 2018 congresses in Anambra subsisted.
He noted that whatever congress conducted by APC and its representatives in the state while the tenure of the 2018 elected executives were still running, contravened the order of the court.
He stated that Emeka Ibe-led executives should be allowed to complete their tenure which was illegally terminated.
Mr. Chukwuma Agufugo, secretary of APC in the faction loyal to Ibe described the judgment as victory for the rule of law.
Agufugo said that some people had wanted to disorganise the party by attempting to hijack its leadership through the back door, but thanked God that the court had liberated the party.
Chief P.I. Ikwueto(SAN), counsel to the plaintiff said that his clients had been vindicated by the decision of the court.
Mr Chinonso Chinwuba, the counsel of the faction of APC dissolved by the judgment, said they would study the judgment and know the next line of action to take.
“We will file notice of appeal and stay of execution. The judge erred in law and it will be set aside at the appeal,” he said.
As Senator Ned Nwoko positions for a return to the National Assembly, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emmanuel Eboh, has described any opposing ambition as self- serving, unnecessary and detrimental to the peace and development of Delta North Senatorial District.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Chief Eboh, a former civil commissioner in Delta State, said Senator Nwoko continues to enjoy widespread goodwill and the support of the people of Delta North, popularly known as Anioma.
While acknowledging that political aspirations are legitimate in a democratic setting, Eboh cautioned against what he termed the “unacceptable drift towards turning politics into a family enterprise and a tool for power control and manipulation.”
He called on residents of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and the wider Delta North district to resist “the inordinate ambition of some Shylock politicians driven by selfish motives and unrestrained personal interests.”
The APC stalwart warned that personality-driven ambitions, rather than people-oriented leadership, could
lead to avoidable rivalry and division within Delta North.
Chief Eboh maintained that Senator Nwoko’s performance in office has been commendable and deserving of re-election, citing key interventions in rural road construction, electrification, education, potable water supply, and empowerment programmes.
He further highlighted the senator’s sustained advocacy for the recognition and identity of Anioma, noting that it was “unprecedented in the political history of the district”.
According to him, “Senator Nwoko has not only met expectations but surpassed them. He deserves re-election, particularly given the fact that the core constitutional responsibility of a senator is lawmaking for the good governance of the nation.”
Eboh said the people of Delta North regard Nwoko as a progressive leader who embodies unity and dignity across Anioma, stressing that he should not be distracted by unnecessary political contestation.
He reaffirmed that the senator’s commitment to the growth and development of Anioma remains unwavering and urged constituents to sustain their support for his return to the Senate.
The APC chieftain also called for continued backing of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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