Accord Party leadership crisis: Appeal Court fixes June 3 for hearing
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Abuja Court of Appeal, has scheduled June 3 for the hearing of an appeal arising from the leadership tussle rocking the Accord Party.
The legal battle over the party’s authentic national leadership is between a faction led by Prof. Chris Imumolen and another led by Mr Maxwell Mgbudem.
The dispute followed controversies surrounding the party’s 2024 National Convention and subsequent leadership arrangements.
The legal battle, which began at the Federal High Court in Abuja, had created parallel structures within the political party, causing concern among its members and stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Counsel to Mgbudem approached the appellate court seeking a reversal of a Federal High Court ruling that granted an application to amend the originating processes in the case.
The trial court, the Federal High Court, is currently awaiting the outcome of the interlocutory appeal before taking further steps in the substantive matter.
Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Imumolen, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is insisting that it possesses a valid and subsisting court order recognising its executive committee.
The Imumolen-led faction had also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to properly acknowledge what it described as the lawful leadership of the party.
Conversely, the Mgbudem-led faction had consistently dismissed claims of a leadership crisis, asserting that there was no legitimate factional division within the party’s ranks.
Political analysts believe the final determination of the case by the judiciary wouldhave far-reaching implications for the party’s internal cohesion.
They noted that the court’s pronouncement would validate or invalidate subsequent decisions, appointments, congresses, and nominations carried out by the parallel leadership structures.
Observers also warned that until a conclusive judicial pronouncement was delivered, uncertainty would continue to overshadow the party’s preparations for future electoral contests.(newsatlarge.ng)