A High Court in Makurdi has mandated the reinstatement of Austin Agada along with other elected officials of the Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose terms were prematurely terminated by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Tertsegha Kume presided over the case brought forth by Agada and eight co-plaintiffs against the APC.
The plaintiffs contested the sudden termination of their positions as executives of the party in Benue, seeking judicial clarification on the legitimacy of such an action without a proper hearing.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, M. T. Alyebo, argued that the NWC acted improperly by ignoring the stipulations outlined in Articles 12(11), 17(i), and 21.1 of the amended APC Constitution of 2022.
Alyebo further contended that the NWC’s decision violated Section 223(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) by failing to provide a fair hearing prior to the unlawful termination of their tenures.
He requested the court to issue an order for the reinstatement of his clients until their terms conclude on February 2, 2026.
Conversely, APC’s counsel, Mr. Matthew Burkaa, argued for the dismissal of the suit, claiming that the court lacked jurisdiction as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of the party.
Nonetheless, the presiding judge rejected the respondent’s counsel’s argument and granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, affirming that the tenures of Agada and the other elected APC executives in Benue remain valid and in effect until the completion of their four-year terms.