A High Court in Makurdi has ordered the reinstatement of Austin Agada, whose term was prematurely terminated by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) along with other elected members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Benue State chapter.
In the judgment handed down on Thursday, Justice Tertsega Kume presided over the lawsuit brought by Agada and eight co-plaintiffs against APC.
The plaintiffs challenged their sudden dismissal from their positions as party leaders in Benue and sought judicial clarification on the legality of such action without a proper hearing.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer MT Ariebo argued that the NWC acted improperly by ignoring the provisions outlined in Articles 12(11), 17(i) and 21.1 of the 2022 Amended APC Statute.
Mr. Ariebo further alleged that the NWC’s decision violated Article 223(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) by failing to provide a fair hearing before the illegal termination of its term. .
He asked the court to order the reinstatement of the customer until the end of the contract on February 2, 2026.
Conversely, APC lawyer Matthew Bruker argued that the court lacked jurisdiction as the matter concerned the internal affairs of the party and argued for the suit to be dismissed.
Nevertheless, the presiding judge rejected the arguments of the defendants’ lawyers and granted the relief sought by the plaintiffs, stating that the terms of office of Mr. Agada and other APC executives elected in Benue remain valid and that the four-year term Confirmed that it is valid until expiration.
