Uchenna Johnson
Awka
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Elders Council, has rejected claims made by the camp of the sacked state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, over the outcome of recent proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that the statements misrepresented the court’s decision.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Anambra APC Elders Council, Chief Dr. Obi Ndigwe said the council was compelled to respond in order to correct what it described as misleading accounts capable of causing confusion among party members.
The council said it would ordinarily have ignored the comments but considered it necessary to present what it described as the true position of the court proceedings held on Monday.
According to the statement, counsel to Senator Anosike and the APC, Chief Ojukwu (SAN) and Barrister Najim, had asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Umar, to set aside its June 24 judgment and grant a stay of execution.
The council, however, said the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application because the matter was already before the Court of Appeal. It said the court consequently directed the applicants to withdraw the motion seeking to set aside the judgment and ordered all parties to pursue the case at the appellate court.
It added that the court granted only a temporary stay of execution after observing that the report on the execution of the judgment was not before it. According to the statement, counsel to Chief Ifeanyichukwu Osegbo informed the court that the execution of the judgment had already been completed on July 3, 2026, and undertook to provide the relevant report.
The council maintained that since the June 24 judgment was not set aside, it remains valid and continues to recognise the Chief Ifeanyichukwu Osegbo-led State Executive Committee as the leadership of the APC in Anambra State pending the determination of the appeal.
It argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio on the matter and that any further issues relating to the judgment should be determined by the Court of Appeal.
The statement further cited Supreme Court decisions, which it said have consistently held that issues relating to party leadership and internal administration are largely internal affairs of political parties, except where otherwise provided by law. It added that the recognition of party officers remains the responsibility of the party acting through its constitutionally recognised organs.
The elders advised party members to exercise restraint and await the Certified True Copies of the court’s orders rather than rely on what they described as politically motivated interpretations circulating on social media.
The council also urged members to resolve disputes through lawful institutional mechanisms and avoid actions capable of undermining party unity.
It referenced recent comments by the APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Dr. Ben Nwoye, during the inaugural meeting of the party’s five-member fact-finding committee, where he reportedly called on stakeholders in Anambra to move beyond prolonged litigation and embrace reconciliation through the party’s internal conflict resolution process.
According to the council, reconciliation remains the most responsible path toward rebuilding confidence and strengthening the APC in the state.
Reaffirming its support for the Osegbo-led executive, the elders said the leadership remains committed to strengthening party structures across the state’s 326 wards and 21 local government areas in preparation for future elections.
The council appealed to party faithful to disregard what it described as sensational narratives intended to create division and instead place the unity, stability and future of the APC above individual interests.
