Court Declares Tony Okocha’s Emergences As Factional APC Chairman Invalid, Reinforces Prohibition Order

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared the Local Government and State Congresses conducted by the Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State null and void.

This ruling stems from a contempt of court motion filed by a faction led by the party’s embattled chairman, Chief Emeka Beke.

The court found that the congress that resulted in the emergence of Okocha was held in direct violation of a prior court order.

Despite an explicit injunction issued by the court preventing the congresses, the Rivers State factional APC proceeded with the elections.

Subsequently, the newly appointed executives were inaugurated on December 14 by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

After receiving reports from party members who had secured the court order, the court was informed that the congresses took place despite the legal prohibition.

Following a thorough examination of arguments from both parties, Justice Godswill Obomanu ruled decisively, declaring the congresses invalid and reinforcing the authority of the court’s original order.