I’ll comply with s’court judgment affirming Ezeokenwa as APGA chair, says Njoku

Edozie Njoku, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), says he will obey the judgment recognising Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the national chairman of the party.

Ezeokenwa, Victor Oye, and Njoku have been in court over the party’s chairmanship position.

Last week, James Omotosho, judge of the federal high court in Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Ezeokenwa as the authentic chairman of APGA.

The supreme court on Wednesday affirmed the judgment.

In the unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Stephen Adah ruled that Njoku was wrong for parading himself as APGA national chairman.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Njoku said he would comply with the verdict even though it is not in his favour.

“Everyone who knows me knows I believe in the rule of law and hierarchy. In any establishment, there must be a hierarchy. The hierarchy of the judiciary in Nigeria is the supreme court,” he said.

“We, in Nigeria, must learn that when the supreme court speaks, no matter how or what you think, you must obey it.

“We must be a country of law and order. Things cannot just be turned to suit you because you are uncomfortable.

“Things cannot just turn to suit Chief Edozie Njoku or Chief Henry Okechukwu or the secretary. We must follow the system.

“We will do everything within our powers to make sure that there is peace in this country called Nigeria.

“But one thing I promise you is that you can never muffle the voice of the people. The people of Anambra state, in the next election, will speak, and it will be so resounding.

“All said and done, the supreme court has spoken, and I truly believe in the chief justice of Nigeria, who had made it clear in so many fora that she must bring sanity to the judiciary.

“I will not, and I cannot be a clog in the hog. I cannot and I will not add to the pressure of those who are putting in relentless efforts to make sure that the judiciary can survive a very telling time.

“I’m happy that the supreme court said it is an internal democracy of the party. You can do whatever you want on the earth, but you cannot change the grassroots.

“The grassroots will decide who their leaders are. And I promise you that Anambra will speak.”

Ezeokenwa was elected APGA national chairman in May 2023 after an elective convention was held in Awka, Anambra state.

Njoku had argued that a convention that was held in Owerri, Imo state capital, produced him as APGA’s national chairman.

In July 2024, INEC recognised Njoku as the national chairman. The electoral body said it relied on a court order to do so.