APGA Leadership Crisis: Oye Defeats Agbaso At Appeal Court Enugu • Umeh reacts

The Special Appeal Panel on Wednesday at Enugu delivered judgement on the leadership crisis between Oye and Agbaso.

The Panel in a unanimous decision struck out the Order Of Mandamus which recognised Chief Martin Agbaso as the National Chairman of APGA.

With this judgement today, Oye remains the National Chairman of APGA.

Umeh Applauds Appeal Court Decision on Agbaso.

Reacting to the judgment, the former National Chairman of APGA, Sir Victor Umeh says the party wasn't surprised about the outcome.

“We are not surprised at the outcome from the court of Appeal because the Mandamus Order obtained by the other side stood on nothing. There was no justification for that. It was an ambush of our great party and I am happy that this primary has taken place even before the judgement of the court of appeal. And INEC came here to monitor this exercise knowing that this is the party.

"This is the APGA that they have always known. It is impossible that four members of the party should start taking decisions for the party, appointing people into positions. In Anambra State where the structure of APGA is the most robust in the whole of Nigeria, somebody just came up and announced that he had dissolved the APGA State structure. Dissolved! One man. Without authority. So, if the court of Appeal has vacated that decision, we give glory to God. We knew that they would crumble because they stood on nothing."

"I want to underscore that APGA is the beacon of democracy in this country. We have always believed in due process. I have been part of this movement for quite some time now and this is about the only party in Anambra State that believes in receiving power from the people. Over time we have been under attack by people who want to take power without winning the votes of the people. APGA has been mounting a resistance to that type of adventure in Anambra State."

"This year’s election is a major one for APGA, so we will stand very strongly on the ground to resist any attempt to manipulate this election by anybody. So those who are planning to rig this election should have a rethink and leave it because the only way you can resort to rigging is when you are sure that you will not get the votes of the people. So, if you do the calculation and you see that it is not going to happen, you better sit down and wait for another time. I think the handwriting is on the wall; that based on the achievements of Governor Obiano, no party can beat APGA in this year’s election."

"So, those who are yet to conduct their primaries, we wish them good luck in their primaries. Let them select their candidates that will be willing to play by the rules, candidates that will be willing to accept the decision of the people. That is the only thing that will make this election a very successful one.”