Cross River APC: Etim John Kicks As Oshiomole Swears In Achigbe Despite Court Order

By Ushang Ewa

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomole on Tuesday in Abuja, swore in the winner of the last state congress of the party in Cross River, Mr. Matthew Achigbe despite complains by a faction that the act was against a court order.

Mr. Achigbe emerged winner of that congress which held a few days after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice O. A Musa had restrained the party from conducting such.

And, a former factional chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Etim John said the act was in “total contravention” of the APC’s constitution.

“The purported state Congress was shielded in secrecy and there was no sale of forms to contestants which is in total contravention of our party’s constitution therefore the exercise was a complete nullity,” Mr. Etim said in a statement issued on Monday.

He wondered why the party went ahead to conduct the congress despite a stakeholders meeting which decided that the party remains law abiding and maintained that: “Any congress by any one, group or agents remains a null and void and the party still intact under the leadership of Pastor Usani Usani and the State Chairman, Mr Etim John.”

He called on the party faithful to disregard the congress and work towards the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The congress which held at the Nkonib square in Ikot Ansa was necessitated by the dissolution of the two factional state executives by the national working committee.

But, three party members; Sylvester Okpo, Eugenia Takon and Charles Asim had gone to court seeking to restrain the party from conducting a fresh congress.

And, Justice Musa in his Judgment of August 16, 2018 ordered a halt in the proceedings. The defendant was given 14 days to enter appearance and file his defense. Also, the Judge granted the plea for accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned to October 25, 2018 for definite hearing.

However, the congress held and on August 27, 2018 the counsel to the claimants, Mr. Ebuka Nwaeze filed a motion exparte dated August 23, 2018 seeking to serve form 48 and all other proceedings to the defendants via substituted means.

And, on August 28, 2018, Justice Musa granted the motion and ordered that form 48 and all other proceedings “relating to the contempt proceedings” in the case be served via substituted means or personally at either the legal services department of the APC national headquarters or to be published in a national daily newspaper.