ENUGU – Former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, has called on the party’s newly elected National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to enforce a subsisting court order and remove Barr. Ugo Agballah from his position as the state chairman.
Nwoye, addressing journalists in Enugu on Thursday, said the move was necessary to uphold the rule of law, as a valid judgment from the Enugu State High Court had restrained Agballah from parading himself as chairman since August 9, 2024.
Justice C.V.C. Ezugwu, in Suit No: E/548/2024, had issued an injunction barring Agballah and nine others from claiming leadership positions in the party, following a suit filed by Acting State Chairman Nwafor Onyeachonam and other party executives.
Nwoye faulted former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, for failing to act on the matter, accusing Agballah of running the state chapter in violation of the APC constitution. He revealed that members of the State Working Committee (SWC) who removed Agballah had submitted a petition and a certified copy of the court order to the new national leadership in Abuja.
“So, we are calling on the National Chairman of our great party, Professor Yilwatda, to respect the law and address the APC Enugu crisis, which was ignored by the former chairman, with a view to restoring Mr. Alphonsus Okafor as the Acting State Chairman,” Nwoye stated.
He warned that disobedience to the court order could damage the party’s image and electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections. Nwoye also urged South East APC leaders, including Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Enukwu; and South East National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijoma Arodiogbu, to uphold the party’s constitution, which recognises Okafor as acting chairman.
Citing precedent, Nwoye recalled how former APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, stepped down after being removed by his ward in Edo State, questioning why Agballah had continued to defy the injunction for over a year.
“Appealing a judgment without securing a stay of execution does not nullify the court order,” Nwoye said, insisting that Agballah should vacate office until the appeal process is concluded.
He added that disobedience to a court ruling not only undermines party discipline but also risks bringing President Bola Tinubu’s administration into disrepute.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
