APC Disowns Ondo Congress Amid Court Order Restraint

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly disowned the state congress held in Ondo State, which took place on Tuesday, citing a subsisting court order that restrains the exercise. The party's position was clarified in a statement from its national secretariat, emphasizing the need to comply with the ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court, which bars the conduct of the congress.

This order was a result of an application filed by aggrieved party members challenging the congress. Despite the court's directive, the congress reportedly went ahead, producing 36 new officials, although officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were absent during the exercise.

The Ondo APC has been embroiled in internal crises, with recent tensions leading to violence during ward congresses, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The state party chairman, Adetimehin, was reportedly beaten and injured during a stakeholders' meeting, highlighting deep divisions within the party ahead of future political contests.