By kawaekwune Jeffrey
The Benue State High Court has extended an interim injunction restraining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from dissolving the Agada-led State Working Committee. This move comes as part of an ongoing legal battle between the State Committee and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), headed by Abdullahi Ganduje.
The interim order was initially secured by Agada on 21 August 2024, preventing the NWC from taking any action against the State Committee until the expiration of its tenure. Justice Theresa Igoche, who issued the injunction, initially adjourned the case for hearing on the motion ex parte on 28 August 2024.
During the hearing, APC’s legal counsel, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yahaya D. Dangana argued that the party has the right and power to dissolve the State Working Committee. He also submitted a preliminary objection, insisting that no further actions should be taken on the subject matter until the pending objection was addressed.
However, M.T. Alyebo, counsel for Agada and eight other applicants, disagreed. The Agada lehal team stated that filing a preliminary objection does not prevent the court from preserving the status quo. Alyebo then requested an extension of the interim order, which Dangana opposed.
However, in her ruling, Justice Igoche extended the interim order by an additional seven days. She clarified that the injunction was served before the dissolution of the State Committee took place.
Political observers in the State believe that this latest development would further prolong the legal dispute within the Benue APC, as the court proceedings continue to shape the party’s internal dynamics in the state.
