Appeal Court Upholds Nullification of APC Congresses

The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt has affirmed the nullification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses led by Toni Okocha in Rivers State. This ruling upholds an earlier decision by the Rivers State High Court, which had declared the congresses invalid due to a restraining order issued by Justice Godswil Obomanu in December 2024.

The court had prohibited the APC from proceeding with its planned congresses pending the determination of a suit. Despite this order, the party conducted the congresses, leading to Okocha's emergence as chairman.

The appeal filed by Okocha's faction was dismissed by Justice Elfreida William Dawodu, who ruled the appeal as incompetent and struck it out, leaving the high court's earlier order intact. Emeka Beke, representing the opposing faction, described the ruling as a significant victory, emphasizing that the congresses were conducted in violation of a valid court order.

Okocha's faction expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and indicated plans to review the judgment.