A group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has faulted the court order affecting the party’s congresses in the state, insisting that internal party matters are largely beyond the jurisdiction of the courts under the Electoral Act 2026.
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, has halted the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The presiding judge, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke in an ex parte order, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC from going ahead with the planned congress.
However, the APC group under the auspices of Ondo APC Arise Movement in a statement signed by its Chairman, Yemi Adetoyinbo, and Secretary, Odele Olatubosun maintained that all political actors must operate within the ambit of the law and respect statutory provisions guiding party affairs.
The group questioned the appropriateness of the Federal High Court order which they insisted violated the 2026 Electoral Act.
Citing Section 83(5) of the 2026 Electoral Act, the group said “no court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party,” except in circumstances outlined in the law.
According to the statement, the law also stipulates that where such an action is brought contrary to the provision, courts should not grant interim or interlocutory injunctions but rather suspend ruling until the final judgment stage while granting an accelerated hearing on the matter.
The group further referenced Section 83(6) of the Act, which prescribes penalties including a minimum cost of N10 million each against the counsel and the plaintiff where a suit is found to have been filed in violation of the provision.
It also pointed to Section 83(3) of the law, which empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to direct enquiries on party matters to appropriate officials of the political party at the national, state, local government, or ward levels.
The group stated that “Section 83 (6) Where such action is brought in negation of this provision:- (a) No interim or interlocutory injunction shall be entertained by the court, but the Court shall suspend its ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgement and shall give accelerated hearing to the matter.
“It is to be noted that Section 83(3) of the Act provides: The Commission may direct its enquiry under Subsection (2) to the Chairman or Secretary of the Political Party at the National, State, Local Government or Area Council or Ward level, as the case may be”
Raising concerns over the implications of the court order, the group asked what it described as a “fundamental question” about the motive behind the legal action and queried, “Who wants to destabilise the APC in Ondo State and for what end?” the group asked.
The Ondo APC Arise Movement said it represents what it described as the “silent majority” of party members who are committed to the stability of the ruling party in the state.
The group however, maintained that party stakeholders would continue to defend the unity and legal integrity of the party’s processes, saying “We the silent majority of party members shall arise,” the statement concluded.
