The prolonged crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) further deepened on Monday as an Enugu State High court sacked Victor Oye, the National Chairman, from office.

The court presided over by Justice A.R. Ozoemena ordered that a former APGA governorship candidate in Imo State, Chief Martin Agbaso, be recognised as the acting National Chairman of the party.

The court’s decision followed an application brought to it by the Enugu State Deputy Chairman of APGA, Comrade Mike Alioke, asking the court for an order of mandamus, compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the decision of APGA appointing Agbaso as the Acting national chairman of the party.

Alioke also pleaded with the court for a declaration that by Section 4 of the Police Act, both the Inspector General of Police and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police were bound to ensure the compliance of the decision of APGA regarding the appointment of Agbaso as the acting national chairman of the party to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The applicant also prayed for an order prohibiting INEC and its privies from recognising or accepting any other person as the National Chairman of APGA other than Agbaso as submitted to it by the party.

Despite several notices given to the three respondents – INEC, IGP and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police – they failed to appear before the court in four times the court sat over the matter.

The respondents also failed to submit defences before the court made its pronouncement.

Justice Ozoemena in his ruling granted the three reliefs sought by Alioke.

Counsel to the applicant, Mr. Chiagozie Amujiogu, while reacting to the judgment said he felt elated that the court in its wisdom used the eyes of eagle to grant all the reliefs his client sought for.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Chief Agbaso said he was happy with the court decision, noting however that it was not yet an appropriate time for him to speak on the matter.

“I will speak in days ahead,” Agbaso promised.

The Acting National Vice Chairman of APGA for South East, Chief Okechukwu Nkolagu, said, “We are very grateful and happy because the judiciary is the last hope of common man. Agbaso will now help us restore the vision of the founding fathers of APGA which Ike Oye destroyed.” (Independent)

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