By Kolawole Ojebisi
It appears the last has not been heard about the leadership tussle rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the squabble for the soul of the party was further deepened on Wednesday when a chieftain of the party came up with another claim.
Chairman of Ekiti State Chapter of the APC, Akinleye Michael has said Senator Abiola Ajimobi is not qualified to serve as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
Michael, who was an aspirant to the post of the party’s National Chairman said in a letter, signed by Barrister Oke of Octadas Attorneys, to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC on Wednesday.
He argued that since Abiola Ajimobi was yet to be recognized as the Deputy National Chairman of the party when Akinleye filed a suit against his nomination, Ajimobi cannot be said to be the party’s Deputy National Chair.
Akinleye said there is still a pending case with suit No: FHC/ AD/ CD/ 8/ 2020 before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti which prays against the nomination of anyone to fill the vacant position, pending the determination of the suit.
He stressed that on the 23rd of March, after informing the court about the purported announcement of the Senator Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Anthony Adeniyi, Ajimobi’s lawyer “vehemently denied the said appointment of his client, adding that the Court also warned all parties should desist from changing the status quo as at the time the suit was instituted.
He further said that “since Ajimobi is not the recognized substantive Deputy National Chairman (South) as confirmed by his counsel during the court proceedings of of 23rd March 2020 he is not qualified to assume the position of the Acting National Chairman of the APC.”
Akinleye urged the NWC of the party to take note of the suit and stop committing contempt of Court by continuing to recognize Ajimobi as anything other than “an ordinary member.”
He, however, advised everyone to allow the wise counsel prevail in the matter in the overall interest of all.
Recall that the legal tussle between Akinleye and the party leadership started when he asked the Court to determine whether Ajimobi’s ‘imposition’ was not a violation of Articles 17 and 20 of the party which stipulates that such position can only be filled by a consensus among aspirants or by elections during congress or convention.
Akinleye sought an order compelling the party “to follow its constitution, customs and practices by filling the vacant position with a duly nominated candidate from Ekiti State to complete the unexpired tenure of four years given to the state through the former occupier of the office and former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi who is currently serving as Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment.”
