Omos Oyinbode, Asaba
An Asaba High Court presided over by Justice M.N. Obi has nullified the State Congress that produced the Pastor Jones Erhueh-led executive of the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The nullification of the congress was sequel to the judgment on a civil suit filed by Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh who contested the legality of the state Congress held on April, 2014, on the grounds that the said congress was held at the Hope Christian Centre which was not a public place and that members of the party were not duly informed about the change of date and venue for the congress as stipulated in the guidelines of the APC’s constitution for the conduct of a state congress.In his judgment, Justice Obi of the High Court 4, held that Hope Christian Centre is a public place where a congress could be held but faulted the non-compliance with the guidelines of the APC constitution which provides that change of date and venue must be published in the print and electronic media at least 96 hours before the conduct of a congress.
He therefore declared the state congress purportedly held on April 26, 2014, illegal, null and void and of no consequence whatsoever, and also restrained the APC Executive Committee in Delta State from parading or holding out themselves as the leaders of the party in the state.
He consequently ordered the conduct of a fresh state congress for the Delta State Chapter of the APC in accordance with the constitution of the party.
Meanwhile, the complainant, Chief Okotie-Eboh, has hailed the judgment which he described as vindication of his claim that the congress was held in breach of the APC’s constitution as regards the conduct of a state congress.
Okotie-Eboh, a former state chairman of the APC, said the outcome of the case has made it imperative for members of the APC in Delta state to go back to the drawing board so as to strengthen the party and enhance its progress.
The reaction of the defendant, Pastor Jones Erhue, could not be obtained, as neither he nor other members of the sacked executive committee were in court.
