Why Oyetola’s Congress Must be Declared Null and Void; APC Faction Tells Court
As Judge Warns Against Delaying Proceedings
A faction of the All Progressive Congress in Osun has on Friday reiterated why the local government congresses organized and backed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola must be declared illegal, null and void.
The faction, which is led by Alhaji Rasak Salinsile, while presenting its case before the trial judge at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, said the congress organized by the Oyetola faction of the party failed woefully to comply with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the guidelines set by the party.
Its counsel, Mahmoud Adesina (SAN), argued that since the party’s guidelines and constitution stipulate that consensus is only possible where there are no disagreements, and no contestant obtained forms to participate in the congress, the congresses of the Ileri Oluwa faction could not stand.
The counsel reminded the court that not only did the Governor’s faction obtained forms with a single bank teller, their members who were declared executive committees at ward levels did not fill their forms individually.
A faction of the party, led by Alhaji Rasak Salinsile, had dragged the Ileri Oluwa faction to court over the last local government congress.
The party had conducted parallel congresses in the state last year after which two executive committees emerged at all the wards across the state.
However, the Ileri Oluwa faction, which is backed by Governor Gboyga Oyetola, opted for consensus which the Salinsile led faction kicked against.
Counsel to the Ileri Oluwa faction, Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, maintained an objection against the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case, saying it is a party affair.
The judge therefore adjourned the case till Wednesday January 26, when he hopes to rule over the jurisdiction objection and other applications.
However, the trial judge warned both factions of the APC against delaying the proceedings.
Justice Emmanuel Ayoola of the Federal Court, said as a political matter, the court would not condone any deliberate delay because it is a case that has to do with forthcoming elections.
The judge said all parties must make room for speedy trial saying that all parties are interested in the outcome of the case.
Details later…
