The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind the Tony Okocha-led caretaker committee of the River State chapter of the party.
The party’s highest administrative organ on Thursday, August 15, after a crucial meeting, dismissed a Port Harcourt High Court judgement which affirmed Chief Emeka Beke as the state chairman of the party, insisting that Okocha is the recognised caretaker committee chairman.
A Rivers State High Court had on Monday ruled in favour of Ameachi’s ally, Beke, as the APC State chairman.
Addressing reporters after its weekly NWC meeting, the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Barrister Festus Fuanter maintained that the Court judgement was not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.
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He argued that the party was not joined in the suit, hence the decision of the NWC to recognise the caretaker committee set up to oversee the affairs of the party in the.state.
According to the deputy scribe, “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 Justice S. 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.
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“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.”
