An Abuja High Court sitting in Jabi has suspended Adams Oshiomhole from his position as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The judge, Justice Danlami Senchi, ordered that Oshiomhole’s suspension will remain in place until the final determination of the case seeking his removal as the APC national chair. This legal action was initiated by some APC members from Edo State, based on Oshiomhole’s suspension by the party in his home state.
According to the petitioners led by Mr. Oluwale Afolabi, Oshiomhole’s rights as an APC member are currently void, and he should not be allowed to continue serving as the party’s chairman. They argued that Oshiomhole is ineligible to receive benefits from the APC while suspended from the party.
In his verdict, Justice Senchi emphasized that the party unlawfully retained Oshiomhole as its national chairman despite his suspension from his ward. He instructed Oshiomole to cease holding himself out as the chairman of the APC.
The judge also admonished the APC to refrain from recognizing him as the party’s chairman and not to grant Oshiomhole access to the party secretariat.
It is important to note that the dispute between Oshiomhole and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has resulted in acts of violence in Edo State, as both men vie for control over the party’s affairs in the state.
Oshiomhole took over the role of chairman of the ruling party in June 2018.