The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been asked to obey the order of the Supreme Court in its ruling over the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which recognized Edozie Njoku as the party’s authentic national chairman
This charge was made Thursday by the Ohanaeze Youths Council OYC), during a media briefing in Abuja
The Ohanaeze youths, who were led by their national chairman, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, and secretary, Comrade Ifeanyi Nweke, expressed their surprise thst INEC has continued to recognize and deal with the Victor Ote led APGA National Working Committee (NWC), despite the supreme Court ruling that sacked him
The group, which accused those it called “gift columnists” in INEC of being behind the continued recognition of Oye as APGA alleged thst doing so will cause damages to the proposed 2023 general elections
The group therefore called on the INEC chairman, professor Mahmoud Yakubu, to act fast and avoid any action thst may bring the commission’s name to the mud, ahead of the 2023 polls
“It is tragic that Mahmood Yakubu, Festus Okoye and some INEC staff have become referees putting on the Jersey of one of the clubs they are officiating their match, for pecuniary interest.
“We, the Ohanaeze Youth Council, as the apex Igbo Youth Organization in worldwide are truly worried that INEC is yet to recognize Chief Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of APGA, after the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court had given Judgements in his favour.
“Let me say this without fear of equivocation. APGA is a thorough breed national party; fortunately, APGA’s manifesto, mission and vision provides a roadmap for aggrieved people to converge and ventilate their minds rather than resort to agitation
“Ozonkpu Victor Oye’s leadership desecrated APGA, and its incensed major stakeholders in the Southeast, and they threw their weight behind Edozie Njoku to ransom and redeem the party. Instructively, this is what Mahmood and his gang are toying with.
“Pertinently, on April 6, 2022, in a subsisting Ruling delivered by Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja Division in Suit No: FHC/BAU/CS/10/2020 in Motion No. FHC/BAU/M/41/2020 between Chief Edozie Njoku & Others Vs Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & another; and the lead Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered by Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC in Suit No: SC/CV/686/2021 between Jude Okeke Vs All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) & others declared Chief Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of APGA.
“Despite these Judgements, Mahmood and those he is working for have continued to play the ostrich for the past one month.
Continuing, the Ohanaeze youths stated, “Clearly, Section 287(1) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, it is imperative that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) obeys the aforesaid valid and subsisting Federal High Court Ruling and Supreme Court judgment; or face the full wrath of our people”
