Members of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa state that were suspended and expelled from the party have taken the party to court over an alleged violation of their rights as party members.
Those who are challenging the party are Perekeme Kpodoh, Sunday Oputu, Linus Opuakpa, Koripamo Enoch, Christopher Abariowei, Harrow Zuokumo, Rosemary Okia and Fred Akamu.
Others are Godwin Sidi, Enabuna Timidi, Kingsley Wire, Daniel Oweizidei, Moses Dennis, Prince Awini and Emmanuel Vector Weke.
The plaintiffs in Suit No. YHC/127/2015, filed on July 27, 2015, filed by their counsel, Funlayefa Seibokuro of Faith Dimensions Chamber, Yenagoa, sued the party and its national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and national working committee as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively, The Punch reports.
They also joined the state chairman of the party, Tiwei Orunimighe; his deputy, Eddy Julius; state secretary, Marlin Daniel and member, board of trustees, Peres Peretu, as 3rd – 6th defendants respectively.
The plaintiffs are asking the state High court in Yenagoa, for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd-6th defendants, their agents, servants and/or privies from recognising/dealing with the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants as state chairman, deputy, secretary and member of BoT respectively pending the determination of the suit.
The claimants also sought an order restraining the APC, Odigie-Oyegun, their agents, servants and/or privies, whatsoever described from recognising/dealing with or continuing to recognise/deal with Orunimighe, Julius, Daniel and Peretu as state chairman, deputy, secretary and BoT member pending the determination of the suit.
They prayed the court to reverse the decision of the party to expel the 1st and 2nd claimants from the party and declared that the action was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
They are also seeking the court to declare the purported suspension of 3rd to 15th claimants from the APC as unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
The claimants said: “The court is therefore urged to hold that they have made out a legal right worthy of being protected during the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“We submit that there are serious issues to be determined in the suit. A clear consideration of the statement of claim will raise the following legal and jurisprudential issues: Whether claimants are not entitled to demand from the 3rd defendant to give accounts of the income and expenditure of Bayelsa State chapter of the APC?
“Whether the 4th and 5th defendants can still validly function as state Deputy Chairman and State Secretary respectively after they have resigned from those offices? Whether the 6th defendant, having being adjudged to be a thief by the High Court, is qualified to hold office as a member of BoT of the APC? Whether the purported expulsion/suspension of the claimant followed due process and is valid? Whether the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants are right to handle the affairs of the Bayelsa State APC whimsically as they have done.”
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