Oyo Accord Crises: Court Rules In Favour Of National Secretary To Appoint Legal Representation
Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has ruled that the article 25 of ACCORD constitution relied upon by the Oyo State Working Committee of the party to hire a legal practitioner supercedes the provision of article 18, which the party’s National Chairman, Mr Maxwell Ngbudem relied upon.
Justice Agomoh upheld that according to the ACCORD constitution, all party officials and directorate are to operate under the office of the National Secretary, who is empowered to organise legal representation for the party in any case.
The declaration has laid to rest issues surrounding either the National Chairman or the National Secretary of the party is constitutionally empowered to appoint legal representation.
By implication, the latest ruling has paved the way for continuation of suit arising from the choice of ACCORD governorship candidate crisis, earlier adjourned till September 30th.
In the case with suit number FHC/IB/CS/97/26, filed by counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Tunji Ogunrinde, SAN is praying the Federal High Court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the name of Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, which was allegedly uploaded to the electoral umpire’s website by a section of the party leadership and replace it with the name of the bonafide winner of party primary and duly elected candidate of the party for the 2027 general election, Alhaji Kunle Busari.
Reacting to the judgement, the ACCORD National Secretary, Dr Adebukola Ajaja appealed to the party supporters, reiterating that the leadership is working to assert its supremacy and satisfy the yearnings for the emergence of the popularly elected candidate, as the governorship flag bearer through legal procedures.
Oyo State Secretary of ACCORD, Hon. Olayinka Dairo described the court affirmation of the lawyer to the plaintiff and lawyer for the first defendant as a welcome development and victory for the rule of law.
Hon. Dairo called on party supporters to remain calm and law abiding, assuring them that the will of the majority will prevail upon the minority interest.
The State Treasurer of ACCORD, Hon. Nurudeen Okunola said the judgement is a triumph of the truth over falsehoods and deception of political interlopers.
