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Confusion over the legal status of the Action People’s Party (APP) deepened on Monday after a Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, ruled that the party was never deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite an earlier judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering its deregistration.

In the Owerri judgment, Justice I.N. Oweibo dismissed a suit seeking the removal of APP from INEC’s register of political parties, holding that the party remained a duly recognized political organization under Nigerian law.

The ruling came hours after another Federal High Court sitting in Abuja reportedly directed INEC to deregister APP and four other political parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements, creating what observers may view as conflicting judicial pronouncements on the party’s status.

While the Abuja court’s decision focused on compliance with constitutional provisions governing political parties, the Owerri court examined claims that APP had already been deregistered during INEC’s February 2020 exercise and found no evidence that such deregistration ever took effect.

Justice Oweibo held that APP had secured a valid court order from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in 2020 restraining INEC from taking any action affecting the party’s status pending the determination of judicial review proceedings.

The court ruled that the plaintiff failed to establish that APP was ever lawfully deregistered and consequently dismissed all reliefs sought against both INEC and the party.

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By Ojomah Austin.

The Delta State ADC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe, has charged party leaders, members and the people of Delta State at large to regard his aspirational ‘New Delta Vision’ campaign mantra not as mere political project, but “generational movement. It is a promise to our children, our communities, and our future.

It is a call to service, sacrifice, and collective greatness.”
Unuafe made this call in his Democracy Day message to party faithful, as campaigns begin to gather momentum.

“As we commemorate Democracy Day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to everyone of you for your resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment during these challenging times,” he said. “The economic realities facing our nation have tested the strength and endurance of our people, yet you have remained steadfast in your belief that a better Delta State is possible.”

He charged party faithful in the 25 LGAs and the entire people of Delta State to stand firm in the pursuit of justice, fairness, and progress.

He acknowledged the peaceful and coordinated protests regarding the INEC ward delineation exercise, which ultimately yielded positive results.

Dr. Unuafe’s vision for a transformed Delta State beyond it rural status stands him out as a professional in project management. According to him, “The massive transformation that lies ahead of us, one that our state has never witnessed before, can only be achieved through unity. Progress cannot flourish where division exists. Development cannot thrive where suspicion and disunity prevail. The Delta of our dreams will not be built by one individual, one community, or one political group. It will be built by all of us working together with a shared sense of purpose and destiny.”

He charged members to be steadfast, noting the greatest task was still ahead, as campaigns heat up towards the 2027 general elections. He sued for a united party devoid of rancour of divisions, so as to achieve the common goal of winning the governorship elections and bringing about massive transformation to a resource-rich but badly managed Delta State, with citizens experiencing acute lack in the midst of plenty.

“The road to 2027 requires greater unity, deeper cooperation, and stronger teamwork than ever before,” he advised. “We must refuse to allow personal interests, misunderstandings, or differences to weaken our collective resolve. The mission before us is far bigger than any individual ambition. It is about restoring hope to millions of Deltans and creating opportunities for generations yet unborn.”

Like all great leaders across the world, Unuafe does not arrogate all knowledge to himself, but assured that he was prune to faults but also ready to accept higher reasoning and a listening ear to members’ concerns.

“Leadership is not about perfection,” he said. “I may not always get everything right in the first instance. There may be moments when my actions or decisions unintentionally offend or disappoint some of you. Whenever that happens, I humbly ask that you find a place in your heart to forgive me. Let us always choose dialogue over division, understanding over resentment, and unity over conflict.”

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The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has set up five-man reconciliation committee headed by Chief Obi Onwuachu.

The committee is mandated to reconcile all aggrieved members after the party’s primaries.

Other members of the committee are Ichie Mike Ejezie , Chief Amechi Chinweze, Chief Chris Akaghalu and Chief Mrs Tina Aronu

Their names were announced on Friday at the APC State Secretariat in Awka by the party during its expanded stakeholders meeting, led by the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.

The party used the occasion to ratify the expulsion of seven alleged recalcitrant members, who dragged the party to court in defiance to the APC’s constitution.

Furthermore, the party announced names of the three Senatorial candidates who emerged during the recent primaries in the state

They are Chief Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi for the South zone, Dr Mrs Ngozi Kene-Chiedu for the Central and Chief Kingsley Nnalue for the North .

Addressing the stakeholders,the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, declared that the party will do everything humanly possible to make sure that President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 presidential election in Anambra.

He said: “Everything we are doing in APC belongs to Ward Chairmen, they hold everything.

“There is no bigger Party than APC in the coming 2027 elections in Anambra, anybody not proud of APC in Nigeria is making mistake. We must believe in the administration of Mr President, Bola Tinubu.

“If you are not a member of APC, you are not. Anyone that takes the party to court is automatically, expelled.

“This party is as strong as never before and every mobilization must go through the wards. We are entering operational election and not hide and seek election,” Anosike said.