*Embattled Comrade Adams Oshiomhole whose suspension as APC Chairman was affirmed today by Court of Appeal
APC CRISIS LATEST: Fresh facts from Abuja division of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday affirmed the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party. A federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has earlier ordered his suspension.
A three-man panel of the appellate court in a unanimous judgment dismissed Oshiomhole’s appeal as lacking in merit. Justice Danlami Senchi of the High Court had issued an injunctive order suspending Oshiomhole as the APC National Chairman pending the determination of a substantive suit. The Senchi, gave the order following an application of interlocutory injunction asking the court to suspend Mr. Oshiomhole, having been suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.
Oshiomhole is engulfed in a fierce battle with the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who succeeded him as governor. He has insisted that he does not want Obaseki to return as Edo State governor for a second term as if the right to decide who governs Edo State resides solely with his choice of candidate. It was gathered that he allegedly set of the APC Screening Committee that screened Mr. Obaseki out of the APC primaries, which led to Oshiomhole leaving the party to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that the application was filed by an applicant, Oluwale Afolabi. While Oshiomhole is the first respondent, the APC is the second respondent. Mr Afolabi in his application dated and filed on January 16, 2020 had contended that Oshiomhole is currently suspended by the party and has not challenged the suspension. According to Afolabi, Oshiomhole’s rights as an APC member is currently abated and he cannot continue to act as chairman of the party. He further argued that Oshiomhole cannot continue to enjoy benefits from the APC, despite his suspension as a member of the party in his home state.
With the Appeal Court affirming Oshiomhole’s suspension on the same day Obaseki and his deputy decided to cross over to the PDP, the incumbent Edo governor may be preparing to have the last laugh.
