The Supreme Court has resolved the prolonged leadership crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), ruling in favor of Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as the legitimate National Chairman of the party.
In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, a five-member panel of the apex court declared that Edozie Njoku’s claim to the APGA chairmanship was unfounded and without legal merit.
The court specifically stated that its earlier judgment, which Njoku had relied upon to assert his claim, did not grant him any enforceable rights over the party’s leadership.
Justice Stephen Adah, who delivered the lead judgment, clarified that matters concerning party leadership are internal issues for the political party itself and cannot be adjudicated in court.
The Supreme Court further set aside a previous ruling from the Court of Appeal, which had controversially recognized Njoku as the party’s chairman.
In addition to its ruling, the court awarded a total of N60 million in costs, with N20 million awarded against two individuals from Njoku’s faction, following the three appeals in the case.
Reacting to the judgment, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, who has now been fully affirmed as the party’s rightful chairman, expressed his appreciation to the judiciary for putting an end to the dispute and reaffirming his position.
The Supreme Court’s decision has sparked celebrations among APGA members nationwide, many of whom have consistently supported Ezeokenwa as their true leader throughout the course of the leadership crisis.
