By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted Chief Victor Giadom the right to act as the National Chairman of the crisis-ridden All Progressives Congress (APC) for two weeks.
In an ex-parte application, Giadom had sought the leave of the court to take over the secretariat of the party in acting capacity and chair meetings of the National Working Committee until the determination of the motion on notice, marked FCT/CV/6447/2020.
In granting the ex-parte application, Justice Samiru Umar Bature empowered Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman (North East) to act as the National Secretary.
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Giadom through his counsel, Mr Wole Afolabi, had averred that he was the authentic acting National Chairman of the APC base on the order of the High Court.
Giadom, who is the party’s Deputy National Secretary, said he was the highest ranking official following the ruling of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, which upheld Oshiomhole’s suspension and declared all his actions since his suspension, null and void.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, had announced Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Acting National Chairman, being the Deputy National Chairman (South).
But Giadom, who spoke through his counsel, said consequent upon an order of the FCT High Court issued on March 16, 2020, said “Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the National Chairman.”
According to Afolabi, asking Senator Abiola Ajimobi to act as the National Chairman of APC following the suspension from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal, was in disobedience to court order.
“We wish to state that the statement must have been issued in complete ignorance of the order of the FCT High Court issued on 16th of March, 2020, by Hon. Justice S.U Bature in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 to the effect that Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the National Chairman of the party due to the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.
“The order was given the same day that the Court of Appeal earlier gave Oshiomhole a temporary respite by staying the execution of the said order suspending Oshiomhole.
“Now that the Court of Appeal has affirmed the order of suspension, it is only proper that the Order recognizing Chief Victor Giadom is implemented.
“Consequently, we have written to all law-enforcement agencies to implement the said order and anyone who attempts to parade himself/herself other than Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting Chairman of the APC would be facing contempt of court proceedings.
“The said order has now been extended by the court for two weeks.”