Marking the calendar, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially pinpointed September 12 for the much-anticipated gathering of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Sharing this crucial detail in Abuja on Thursday, post the NWC meeting, was Festus Fuanter, the Deputy National Secretary of the party.
Emphasizing that the specified dates for the caucus and NEC assemblies are contingent upon President Tinubu’s green light, Fuanter underscored the significance of planning in advance.
Deliberating further, Fuanter revealed that the NWC of the party dissected the matter and arrived at a mutual decision that the party’s caucus would convene on September 11, preceding the NEC session.
Expressing the agreement, he stated, “We settled on [September] 11 and 12 for caucus and NEC meetings pending Mr. President’s approval.”
Meanwhile, the NWC reiterated that the ruling of the Rivers State High Court ousting the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee does not hold sway over the party.
Asserting that a court ruling does not bind a person or entity not part of the case, the committee stood firm in maintaining the recognition of the Okocha-led Caretaker Committee in Rivers State as the legitimate leadership of the party in the region.
Fuanter reaffirmed, “We wish to affirm and clarify to the public that the All Progressives Congress stance, in the judgment handed down by the Rivers High Court, is that it does not affect the party (APC).
“The litigant in the case sued the national chairman and secretary of our esteemed party, not the party itself, and you cannot litigate against an agent of a disclosed principal, [as such] a court ruling or order does not bind a person or entity not party to the suit.
“In the case between Sam Sam Etetegwung v. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 Others, in which the court reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee of Rivers State as dissolved by APC, it is not binding on APC as it was not brought in as a party to the case.
“Additionally, there exists a valid and standing court ruling against Chief Emeka Beke and Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (former Rivers State APC chairman and legal adviser), leading to their removal from office.
“The particular case, Suit No. PHC/925/CS/2023, Omiete Efrebo & 9 Others v. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 Others, resulted in their removal from office.
“It is essential to note that the said judgment has been contested by Chief Emeka Beke and is currently under appeal before the Court of Appeal. Therefore, the party continues to acknowledge the previous caretaker committee established to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.”