The crisis within the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened as some party members have announced the expulsion of the state chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, along with several other executives, for allegedly violating a court order.

The expelled officials include Chief Augustine Alumonah (state deputy chairman), Jude Aniogbo (state treasurer), and Mr. Emeka Eze (state organising secretary), among others.

Speaking at a media briefing in Enugu on Tuesday, Chief Charles-Solo Ako, on behalf of the party’s acting state chairman, Hon. Alphonsus Nwafor, stated that the affected officials had disregarded a restraining order issued by the Enugu High Court in Suit No: E/548/2024 on August 7, 2024.

The order barred them from continuing to act in their respective positions pending the determination of a Motion on Notice.

According to Ako, the officials had already been suspended before the court order due to alleged disruptive conduct that had caused instability within the party.

“The High Court bars these self-styled executives from acting and presenting themselves in any of these positions pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice,” Ako stated.

He accused Agballah and his allies of openly flouting the court’s decision by continuing to conduct meetings and issue statements as if they were still in office.

“In blatant contempt and disrespect for this order, they continue to publicly showcase their meetings, holding media briefings and interviews as if they are members of the State Executive Committee, despite the court’s injunction against such actions.”

The embattled chairman and his team were also accused of defying the court order by continuing to operate from the APC state secretariat.

“Agballah and his self-identified executives have persistently used the Enugu State APC Secretariat, defying the court order that prohibits them from accessing, claiming, or using the APC Secretariat, located at 59B Bishop Onyeabor Street, G.R.A, Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State.”

Ako further alleged that Agballah had victimised and orchestrated the arrest of party members who had supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Enugu on January 4, 2025.

“One of the most egregious actions of Agballa has been the victimisation and arrest of our members who identified with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honouring and welcoming him during his visit to Enugu State on 4th January 2025.”

Based on these allegations, the party leadership declared the expulsion of Agballah and his allies, stating that their actions were fundamentally at odds with APC’s constitution and values.

“As a result, Ugochukwu H. Agballah and the self-proclaimed members of the state executive committee have consistently and shamelessly defied the High Court order, exhibiting impunity and lawlessness, and instigating further troubles and crises that bring our party into disrepute. Therefore, the leadership of the APC Enugu State Chapter officially expels Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Augustine Alumonah, Jude Chinedu Aniogbo, Moses Emeka Eze, Sunday Ugwoke, Ugwu Christian Kanayo, Eze Chidiebere Johnson, Queen Charles, and Onyekachi T. Ezeagu from the APC Enugu State Chapter for engaging in activities fundamentally incompatible with our party’s constitution, values, and principles, following a comprehensive disciplinary process,” Ako stated.

He emphasised that the decision followed due process and was reached after a thorough review by the disciplinary committee.

“This expulsion should serve as a strong reminder that our dedication to discipline and ethical conduct remains steadfast. The general public is hereby advised that anyone engaging with these individuals as members of the All Progressives Congress, APC Enugu State Chapter, does so at their own risk.”

Despite the internal crisis, Ako reassured members of the party’s commitment to unity and rebuilding.

“We shall build a united APC Enugu State that can make a positive impact on the lives of our members and the state at large. We will continue to uphold the principles of our Party Constitution, support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and his Renewed Hope Agenda through promoting good governance, championing democratic values, and ensuring loyalty and service to the people.”

When contacted for a response, Agballah, who was in Abuja for the APC National Executive Council meeting, dismissed the expulsion, stating that he would not dignify it with a response.

Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has remained non-committal on whether he will support President Bola Tinubu’s rumored second-term ambition in the 2027 election.

Speaking on Arise Television on Monday night, El-Rufai stated that he would make his position known only after extensive consultations with his political allies and supporters.

He also refrained from endorsing any particular candidate, whether from the North or South, for the upcoming election.

El-Rufai, who played a key role in mobilizing support for Tinubu during the 2023 election, expressed concerns over what he described as an imbalance in federal appointments.

He argued that Tinubu’s selections for key positions in ministries, departments, and agencies have disproportionately favored individuals from the South-West geopolitical zone, particularly those close to the president.

The former governor warned that dissatisfaction with these appointments, coupled with economic reforms that have caused hardship in the North, could erode Tinubu’s support in the region.

He urged the president to address these grievances before they jeopardize his chances of securing a second term in 2027.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appointed Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, son of Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The appointment was announced just hours after Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the seventh executive governor of the state on Monday.

A statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the appointments, which also included the reappointment of key officials.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the Secretary to the State Government. Until his appointment as SSG, Dr. Fasoranti, who hails from Akure South Local Government Area, was the Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board,” the statement read.

Additionally, Aiyedatiwa has reappointed Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac returns as Commissioner for Finance.

Several special advisers were also reappointed, including Engr. Johnson Alabi (Power), Dr. Seun Osamaye (Women Affairs), Comrade Bola Taiwo (Union Matters and Special Duties), and Prof. Simidele Odimayo (Health). These officials had served in the previous administration and were retained in their roles.

Furthermore, the governor elevated Engr. Abiola Olawoye, formerly the Senior Special Assistant on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, to the position of Special Adviser in the same portfolio.

Governor Aiyedatiwa charged the appointees to immediately get to work, ensuring effective service delivery to the people of Ondo State.

The statement emphasized that all appointments took immediate effect.

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has reiterated that Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have lost their seats due to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The caucus criticized Amaewhule and his colleagues for denying their defection, describing their stance as unfortunate.

Expressing their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, they also condemned a recent visit by some National Assembly members to Amaewhule, calling it an attempt to mislead the people of Rivers State.

The leader of the Rivers caucus in the House of Representatives and member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, stated this during a solidarity visit to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, in Port Harcourt on Monday.

This visit follows an earlier delegation led by Senator Barinada Mpigi, which had expressed solidarity with Amaewhule and urged Governor Fubara to comply with court judgments.

Abiante accused the Mpigi-led delegation of distorting the facts regarding the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho.

He clarified that the ruling did not address the status of Amaewhule and his colleagues, whom he referred to as a “committee of friends and former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

He stated, “Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 others had lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly following their voluntary defection/cross-carpeting which happened on the floor of the House of Assembly in the full glare of the public on 11th December 2023.”

Referring to past Supreme Court judgments, Abiante emphasized that the constitutional provisions in Section 109(1)(g) and Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, dictate that a legislator who defects from the party on whose platform they were elected automatically loses their seat.

“The pronouncements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in these cases, having not been set aside nor overruled in any subsequent judgment of the Supreme Court, remain the law till date on issues of the election of a member of a legislative House in Nigeria,” he stated.

He further explained that based on this precedent, the legal effect of Amaewhule and his colleagues’ defection is that, from December 11, 2023, when they announced their defection on the floor of the House, they ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The only legal implication is that Amaewhule and the 26 others remain former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and accordingly are no longer entitled to parade themselves as members of the House or to partake in any business or affair of the House,” he said.

He also noted that the December 11 defection was not raised in the January 22, 2024, ruling by Justice Omotosho.

“It is worthy to note that neither the fact of their defection nor any issue relating to their defection nor on their status as former lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly was raised, submitted, or discussed in the proceedings leading to the 22 January 2024 judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho.

“Instead of placing before the Federal High Court, the truth and material facts about their status as ex-lawmakers, to afford the Honourable Court an opportunity of deciding on the real issues, the claimants in that case (Hon Amaewhule and co) craftily invented lies and falsehood calculated to mislead the Honourable Court.”

On whether the Rivers State House of Assembly can function effectively with its current composition, Abiante cited a Supreme Court judgment by Justice Walter Onnoghen regarding a similar case in Plateau State.

He quoted the ruling: “There is no doubt that there existed in the Plateau State House of Assembly 14 vacant seats as a result of cross carpeting.

“It is my view that until the vacancies created by the carpet crossing members are filled by the process of the by-election, the Plateau State House of Assembly can only transact such legislative duties that require the participation of less than 2/3 majority of ALL the members of that House, which duties definitely exclude impeachment proceedings.”

In response, Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo commended the caucus for their visit, assuring them that the House would continue to legislate for the benefit of Rivers people while standing firmly in support of Governor Fubara.

He stated, “Thank you for standing in solidarity with the Rivers State House of Assembly. Your visit has rekindled hope in us. The former 27 lawmakers are gone. We have too much at stake to abandon the ship.

“The Governor is too focused on delivering good governance to the people. We will continue to stand for what is right and our duties are to make laws for the betterment of our people. That is our focus.”

He also reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to upholding the Constitution, stating, “We will continue to stand on the rule of law. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended cannot be changed because 27 former lawmakers loyal to their godfather in Abuja decided to defect, which of course was done on their volition.”

Other members of the National Assembly who joined Abiante on the visit included Hon. Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency), Hon. Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency), Hon. Anderson Allison Igbiks (Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency), and Hon. Manuchim Umezurike (Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1).