The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has upheld a Rivers State High Court order nullifying congresses conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced the Tony Okocha-led executive committee in the state.
A three-member appellate panel led by Justice Elfreida Williams-Dawodu dismissed an appeal filed by Okocha challenging the jurisdiction of the lower court and seeking to overturn the order.
The dispute stemmed from congresses conducted by the APC in December 2024 despite an ex parte order issued by Justice Godswill Obomanu restraining the party from proceeding with the exercises.
The congresses subsequently produced Okocha and other party executives.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the Emeka Beke-led APC faction, Emenike Ebete, said the appellate court found Okocha's appeal incompetent and struck it out.
"The court said their appeal was incompetent and struck it out, meaning that the order the high court made nullifying their congresses still stands," Ebete said.
He clarified that the ruling was separate from another judgment that removed Okocha and his executive committee from office.
The APC, however, disagreed with the decision and said it was reviewing its legal options.
"We have applied for the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered today. Once the copy is made available, our lawyers will advise us on the next line of action," the party said in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Chibike Ikenga.
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