Fresh trouble erupted on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State as some aggrieved members of the party have asked an Enugu State High Court to stop Saturday (today’s) congress.
The members who are asking the court to stop the congress are Akpagu Jude, Uzochi George, Agu Chinenye Vivian and Kenneth Ozoemenam.
In the motion on notice filed before the court and made available to our correspondent, the aggrieved members alleged that they were denied delegate forms after making payment for the forms.
The plaintiffs also named Yobe State Governor and Chairman of APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Congress Committee Chairman for the state, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogba and the chairman of the party in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye as co-defendants to the suit.
The plaintiffs also complained about the way the congress is being handled and claimed that the exercise lacked transparency and credibility.
It was further gathered that the suit was served on Nwoye at about 6.20pm on Friday, shortly after the stakeholders meeting held at the party’s secretariat.
Nwoye, who confirmed the existence of the suit to journalists on Friday evening, said he had been served with the motion on notice.
He appealed to the aggrieved members to embrace peace for the sake of the party.
He said:”One of the grounds upon which they went to court is that they were not given delegate forms after paying for them.
“But the forms arrived this morning to Enugu. I announced that everybody should wait to pick the forms after the meeting. If they had waited behind, they would have known that the delay was not deliberate. The ward congress committee members came with the forms and we opened it before everyone to see.
“I am pleading to all aggrieved members in the state to shun violence. Bringing up a motion to stop congress will not help us move forward. Everything had been going on smoothly until the anxiety the members expressed over the arrival of materials.
“The committee chairman also promised that by 10am, congress will start and three-man committee will be on ground.
“From his explanation, I think it will be a transparent congress. I call on all to give the chairman a chance and allow the congress to start. I am pleading with the plaintiffs to retrace their step and allow party to move on.
“They should also look at the provisions of the constitution that allows internal resolution mechanism to enable the party move forward. This is a family affair and our issues ought to be treated within the family before going to Enugu State High Court.”
