APC Disowns Ondo Congress, Affirms Respect For Court Ruling

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally distanced itself from the state congress held on Tuesday in Ondo State, citing a subsisting court injunction that barred the exercise. According to party officials, the decision was driven by the need to comply with an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court, which restrained the party from conducting the congress.

Senator Ajibola Bashiru, National Secretary of the APC, clarified the party’s stance in an interview on Arise Television, emphasizing that the party would not contravene any valid judicial directive. “We woke up to a court order by the Federal High Court, and as a law-abiding party, we directed our team there to wait until the order is vacated or a contrary order is issued. We are not a party of illegality,” Bashiru stated.

He added, “Even though we believe the court order should not have been granted to restrain the congress, as a party committed to the rule of law, any positive court order must be respected.”

The injunction was issued on Monday by Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Akure following a petition by aggrieved members contesting the exercise. Despite the restraining order, a congress reportedly took place in Ondo State, resulting in the election of 36 new party officials, though no Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were present.

The state chapter of the APC has experienced escalating internal tensions in recent weeks, with reports of violence during the ward congress, which reportedly led to three fatalities. The state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, was reportedly assaulted during a stakeholders’ meeting along with other party leaders.

The crisis has highlighted significant divisions within the Ondo APC ahead of upcoming political contests. Notably absent from the disputed congress were the deputy governor, Olayide Adelami, most state senators, and several members of the House of Representatives, except Jimi Odimayo of the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency. Bashiru confirmed that upon receiving the court order, the congress committee already in the state was instructed to suspend activities.