Okenyi Kenechi
An ally and member of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi’s faction of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Victor Giadom is in a battle to assume office as the National Chairman of the APC, following the Tuesday’s affirmation of the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole from the party by the Court of Appeal.
Giadom and the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who is the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party are both laying claim to the exalted ‘throne.’
However, consequent upon a subsisting order of the FCT High Court of 16th March 2020, by Hon. Justice Bature, recognising the acting National Secretary, Victor Giadom as the acting National Chairman in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/6447/2020, Giadom is by law, the rightful person to take over from Oshiomhole.
A three-man panel of the Appeal Court had on Tuesday upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The panel in a judgment delivered by Mohammed Lamido dismissed Oshiomhole’s appeal for lacking in merit.
Recall that an Abuja high court had in March 2020 ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as national chairman of the APC.
The APC shortly after the Appeal Court verdict appointed Ajimobi the acting national chairman, adding that he will serve on an interim basis.
However, Giadom’s lawyer, Chief Wole Afolabi in a statement said the statement purportedly issued by the Publicity Secretary of the APC to the effect that Senator Abiola Ajumobi is to act as the National Chairman of APC following the suspension from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal was 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”
