By David Lawani Abuja
Despite the crisis-tinted atmosphere heralding the March 26 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, the party’s leader in Edo State and former special adviser to the Edo State House of Assembly speaker, Omeiza Ogumah, has insisted that “Amidst the plethora of judicial cases arising from contentions on legitimacy of the Convention Extra-Ordinary Planning Committee of APC(CEPCC), to parallel state congresses and other intra-party sundries, the ruling party is time-bound to conduct its national convention in compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) and the guidelines of Independent National Election (INEC).”

Ogumah, who opined that “These are usual intra-APC litigations over parallel congresses or consensus options, which does not affect my Edo chapter.
“Out of 36 state chapters, we have cases only in Benue, Ogun, Kwara, Ekiti, Rivers, Kano, Osun, Gombe and Zamfara. But the ruling party must dare the devil and the deep blue sea, by making March 26th sacrosanct.”

ThisNigeria investigations reveal that the prevailing crisis at APC state congresses are clash of political interests amongst leaders like Senator Kabiru Marafa and ex-governor Abdulaziz Yari; Information Minister, Lai Mohammed and Kwara governor, Abduraham Abdulrasaq; Senator Magnus Abbe and Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, in Rivers, Ibrahim Shekerau and Governor Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Governor Oyetola of Osun; ex-governor Ibukunle Amosun and Derin Adebiyi in Ogun, amongst others.

According to Ogumah: “I have served as party chairman while in PDP years ago, and as a core-party man in APC. I know that Article 21(d) of APC constitution detests members to take the party to court. But few recalcitrant members will want to hide under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution to claim fundamental rights.
“It is even more derogatory to the party, for states that have refused to withdraw their court cases (even after the presidential directive). They are arrogant and avarice team players who must be penalised.”
Meanwhile, it will be recalled that on Friday, March 18th,a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court sitting in Kubwa, vacated an interlocutory injunction earlier granted to an APC member, Mallam Salisu Umoru, stopping the APC from holding its national convention.

Salisu Umoru took the party, the chairman CECPC, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court to challenge the planned March 26, 2022 national convention.

“Justice Bello Kawu granted the interim order stopping the convention.

But on Friday, Justice Kawu vacated the interlocutory order following the defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa’s application for the court to set it aside.

Aruwa had moved a motion seeking the setting aside of the interlocutory order, and striking out the suit on want of jurisdiction.

He said the application was supported by a five-paragraph affidavit, and a written address and adopted all the processes, praying the court to grant them in the interest of justice.

Kawu also vacated the order relying on the recent Supreme Court decision which held that a party member does not have the right to take the party to court.

He, however, adjourned the case until March 30 for hearing the substantive suit.

Despite the legitimacy issues, Mai Buni on Friday (March 18th), quashed insinuations when he held a meeting with Senator John Akpanudoedehe (CEPCC committee’s Secretary).

The meeting, which doused the rumoured sack of Akpanudoedehe after Governor Sani Bello’s and nine CECPC members passed “No confidence vote” on Akpanudoedehe on March 17, 2022.

The legitimacy ropes dragging the Buni-led CECPC started in June 2020 when the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party sacked the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC). Ever since, the destiny of APC has become tortuous in controversies and constitutionality. The dangling fate of the ruling party was tinted in July 2021 when the Supreme Court ruled on the governorship election appeal filed by Eyitayo Jegede and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and APC.

But in October 2021, the Nigerian Supreme Court affirmed that Mai Mala Buni’s position as acting chairman of the CECPC is not contrary to the provision of Section 183 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as same is on a temporary basis, which is not akin to executive office or paid employment as envisaged by Section 183 of the CFRN.

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Undoubtedly, the week ahead will not only be herculean for the various APC convention sub-committees, but it will be soaked in plausible apprehension over possible judicial upsets on the March 26 national convention. How they will navigate and push for a rancour-free convention gives onlookers reason to ruminate on lots of factors. It is not gainsaying the fact that APC is grossly engrossed in unnecessary intra-party imbroglio, and the earlier they are seen in charge of the situation, the better for the party.