Some aggrieved leaders of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State have vowed to continue with their court case despite the directive given by the National Executive Committee of the party, demanding the immediate withdrawal of all court cases.
The NEC had at its last meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari resolved that all matters in court against the party should be withdrawn and threatened to sanction any erring party member that failed to comply with the directive.
The APC highest decision-making organ said the directive was imperative to salvage the soul of the party from collapsing; stressing those recalcitrant members would face dire consequences.
In a related development, the Ekiti State APC stakeholders’ Caucus in its meeting last Saturday also resolved that in line with NEC directives all lawsuits against the party at all level should be withdrawn with immediate effect.
But, the litigants under the auspices of Ekiti APC stakeholders’ Forum had remained adamant, insisting that they would not withdraw the court case challenging the validity of the existence of the ward, local government and State Executives of the state chapter.
The suit seeking to upturn the structures was filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, Chief Akin Akomolafe, Engr Ayo Ajibade, Akogun Bunmi Ogunleye, Otunba Ben Oguntuase.
The case which filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja resumed on Monday and
adjourned for further hearing by the presiding Judge, Justice Ekwo.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday signed by its Chairman, Mr. Tony Adeniyi and Secretary, Hon. Femi Adeleye, the aggrieved leaders said the stakeholders’ Forum at its meeting held last Saturday and attended by APC leaders, resolved that the pending case should be pursued to a logical conclusion in the interest of the party.
Justifying their absence from the Ekiti stakeholders’ Caucus meeting, the aggrieved leaders said they were not invited by the party’s State Working Committee.
“We would have loved to be there to present our case but they refuse to invite us and we are not bothered because we know Dr Fayemi do not want genuine reconciliation.
“We are ready for genuine and sincere reconciliation where the injustices and illegalities perpetrated by the present leadership will be properly addressed”, they said.
The group expressed its love for APC and affirm that their disagreement is not personal but patriotic, saying “We do not want to lose elections in Ekiti again. If we allow things to continue the way it is our fate in 2022 will be worse than the first coming of Dr Fayemi.”
“Our action is a wakeup call. We are also not against our party members holding executive offices. All we are asking for is legality, fairness and justice. If we don’t have all this as well as appreciable performance and inclusiveness we may as well forget 2022,” it added.
But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ade Ajayi, advised the aggrieved members to comply with the presidential and National Executive Council orders to avert punishment.
“The NEC is the highest decision making organ of the party. It had taken a decision coupled with the Presidential order by President Buhari, so I don’t expect the leaders to gamble with these orders as loyal party men.
“The State Executive Council and Ekiti stakeholders’ caucus had also taken a position and said all members must comply. It is for the sake of the party and the action was not selfish.
“If they should defy the orders and fail to withdraw the case in court, then we will apply the party’s constitution in dealing with the situation.
“But we appeal to them to take the path of honour and withdraw the case honourably,” the party advised.

By Rasak Ibrahim