The internal strife within the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has escalated, with the party’s South-East Zone filing a formal complaint against Justice C.V.C. Ezeugwu of the Enugu State High Court. The APC alleges that Justice Ezeugwu issued an ex parte order without due process, effectively restraining the Enugu State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, and 10 other party officials from performing their duties.
In a statement released on Sunday, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman of the APC South-East Zone, revealed that the party was neither a party to the suit (E/548M/2024: Nwafor Alphonsus Onyeachonam & 4 ORS. VS. Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah & 10 ORS) nor had it been served with the ex parte interim order. The party also noted the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the list of respondents, despite its statutory role in such matters.
“The party has lodged a petition with the NJC against Justice C.V.C. Ezeugwu for issuing an ex parte order to individuals and offices not recognised by the APC, in a matter where the APC is not a legal party, and without notifying the party as required by court rules and NJC directives,” the statement read.
The APC’s South-East leadership urged the public to disregard media reports suggesting that the order was directed at the party, its offices, or its financial institutions. The statement reaffirmed that under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties retain exclusive jurisdiction over their internal affairs and disputes, a principle upheld by the Supreme Court and other higher courts.
Arodiogbu also issued a stern warning against any unauthorised attempts to interfere with the party’s offices or properties. He emphasised that the APC Constitution prohibits members from taking legal action against the party without first exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
The party leadership suggested that the legal challenge might be the work of an opposition party in Enugu State, seeking to create discord within the APC. “Some of the parties and official positions mentioned in the media-publicised interim order are completely unknown to the party and are not recognised by the APC’s amended Constitution. We believe this crisis is being orchestrated by an opposition political party in Enugu State,” Arodiogbu stated.
He further accused the opposition of attempting to embarrass the APC, citing a previous case in Kano State where an opposition party unsuccessfully sought an ex parte order against APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje. Arodiogbu praised Enugu State Chairman Ugochukwu Agballah for his efforts to restore discipline within the party, suggesting that the opposition’s actions were motivated by fear of Agballah’s effectiveness.
The APC urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that the ex parte order was applicable to the party. “There is unimpeachable evidence that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State sponsored the legal action against the APC, with plans to use the ex parte order to infiltrate APC premises and reinstall previously ousted party members,” the statement read. The party has alerted security agencies and instructed its legal team to swiftly challenge and overturn the order.
The crisis began after a press conference led by some APC members, including Nwafor Onyeachonam, during which they announced the suspension of Agballah and three other officials. This was followed by an ex parte order from Justice Ezeugwu, restraining Agballah and 10 others from their official roles pending a hearing scheduled for August 13.
Attempts to reach the PDP’s state chairman, Mr. Augustine Nnamani, for comment on the matter were unsuccessful.
