…The APC had previously announced March 3 as the date for its nationwide state congresses,
ONDO, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has insisted that its state congress scheduled for Tuesday will proceed as planned, despite a restraining order issued by the Federal High Court.
The party’s National Vice Chairman (South-West), Mr Isaacs Kekemeke, said the congress would hold because neither he nor the congress committee had been formally served any court order.
“I’m a lawyer and I don’t depend on social media for information. The party’s national headquarters has not informed me, as zonal chairman, nor the congress committee of receiving any court process. There is no directive from the national secretariat,” he said.
He added that the party would comply with any official instruction if properly communicated. “We are a party that believes in law and order. Once we receive a directive from the national secretariat, it will be obeyed,” he stated.
Earlier on Monday, the Federal High Court sitting in Akure restrained the APC from conducting its state congress fixed for March 3, 2026. The court also nullified the ward and local government congresses held on February 18 and 21.
In an ex parte order, Justice Toyin Adegoke barred both the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the exercise pending the hearing of a substantive suit.
The APC had previously announced March 3 as the date for its nationwide state congresses, with preparations already concluded in Ondo State. In a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaye, the party said the exercise had been approved by its National Working Committee.
Kalejaye invited statutory delegates, stakeholders and party leaders to attend the congress in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
The suit was filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji, on behalf of aggrieved members led by Lawrence Adebayo and 7,427 others. The APC and INEC are listed as defendants.
In her ruling, Justice Adegoke granted an interim injunction restraining INEC and its representatives from recognising or validating the ward and local government congresses conducted on February 18 and 21, as well as the proposed state congress. The court also directed the parties to maintain the status quo before the disputed congresses and refrain from actions that could affect the pending application for interlocutory injunction.
Meanwhile, earlier reports showed that the APC conducted ward and local government congresses nationwide following directives from its national secretariat.
However, in Ondo State, violence erupted during the ward congress in Idanre Local Government Area, where political rivals were reportedly attacked. Police confirmed that two persons were killed and several others injured.
Thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh.
A day before the Idanre clash, suspected thugs attacked the party’s office in Akure and assaulted the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin.
