A Federal High Court in Sokoto on Thursday, affirmed the Sadiq Isah Achida-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected executive committee of the party in the state.
Justice James Omotosho in his judgement, questioned he Mainasara-led faction of APC, which held its conference in a hotel contrary to the constitution of the party and against democratic norms, holding also that the development must be discouraged by the court.
According to Omotosho, the suit filed by Mainasara-led faction was status bar.
“The case should have been filed within 14 days from the very day the appellate court set aside the Abuja High Court judgement on the matter,” he said.
The court also held that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) only recognised the Achida-led faction as the legitimately elected officials of the party.
“Based on the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Achida led executives were the only recognised leadership of the party in the state by the electoral body.”
Justice Omotosho also dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the counsel to Achida that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter since it was an intra- party affair.
Counsel to the 1st defendant, Jacob Ochidi expressed gratitude over the judgment, which he described as sound and deserving.
He said the Achida-led exco has been vindicated as the true, recognised elected officials of the Sokoto APC which the Court has confirmed.
