The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa as the legitimate National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, putting an end to the protracted leadership tussle within the party.
A five-member panel of the apex court delivered two unanimous judgements that invalidated Chief Edozie Njoku’s claim to the party’s leadership. The court ruled that its previous decision in the case marked SC/CV/687/2021, delivered on October 14, 2021, and corrected on March 24, 2023, did not grant any enforceable rights to Njoku.
Supreme Court’s Ruling
In the lead judgement read by Justice Stephen Adah, the court clarified that the reliefs granted in its earlier decision were declaratory and not executory.
“The issue of leadership or who becomes the Chairman of a political party is an internal matter that is not justiciable,” Justice Adah stated.
The court held that Njoku erred by seeking to enforce a judgement that offered no executory reliefs. Justice Adah also faulted the lower courts for misinterpreting the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to declare Njoku as APGA National Chairman.
As a result, the Supreme Court nullified the Court of Appeal ruling delivered on June 28, 2024, which had upheld the decision of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that recognised Njoku as APGA Chairman.
Additionally, the court imposed a fine of N20 million each on two members of Njoku’s faction who were listed as the 1st and 2nd respondents in the matter.
Related Appeals Resolved
The court also ruled that a third related appeal regarding the APGA leadership crisis would abide by its decision in this matter. The three appeals involved were:
– SC/CV/824/2024: APGA & another vs. Chief Victor Ike Oye & others.
– SC/CV/825/2024: Chief Victor Ike Oye vs. Otunba Kamaru Lateef Ogidan & 2 others.
– Chief Victor Ike Oye vs. Otunba Kamaru Lateef Ogidan & 2 others.
Ezeokenwa Reacts to the Judgement
Reacting to the judgement, Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa commended the Supreme Court for resolving the leadership dispute and upholding the rule of law.
“We should not always be saying bad things against the Judiciary. Today, I am very proud of our Judiciary as the last hope of the common man,” Ezeokenwa said.
He continued: “Like I have always said, our Judiciary will always come through to save our nation when the need arises. That is what it has done today with the erudite judgements delivered by the Supreme Court concerning the leadership of our party.”
Ezeokenwa criticised the prolonged leadership crisis, stating, “What ought not to have taken place was created and has been dragged up to the Supreme Court. It is unfortunate. Money has been expended, and the party’s structures destabilised just because of someone’s selfish and inordinate ambition.”
He expressed relief over the final resolution of the crisis, adding, “The judgements today have affirmed the convention that brought us to office and that we are in charge of the running of the party’s affairs.
“So, there is no longer speculation or doubt about the actual leadership of APGA. By the judgements, I, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, have been affirmed as the Chairman of APGA,” Ezeokenwa concluded.
This ruling marks the end of the contentious leadership battle within APGA, restoring order to the party’s operations under Ezeokenwa’s leadership.
