…Wants a caretaker committee constituted for Bayelsa chapter
- By Our Reporter
From Nwafor Elizabeth, Yenagoa
The ongoing crisis within the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new turn as Osom Blankson, a chieftain of the party, has urged the National Working Committee to take decisive action against individuals attempting to bring shame to the party.
Blankson called for sanctions against those responsible for the recent suspension and counter-suspension of members.
In a reaction to the purported suspension announced on Friday in Yenagoa, Alex Blankson, reading on behalf of Osomkeme Blankson, emphasized that these individuals lack the authority to convene meetings or suspend party members.
He noted that the action is reportedly rooted in a misunderstanding of the current situation within the Bayelsa APC chapter and called for a caretaker committee to be constituted for the state chapter of the party in order to bring sanity and order.
According to Blankson, a court case filed in January 2022 challenged the legitimacy of the congress that produced the current party officials. On January 20, 2023, the court delivered a judgment nullifying the entire party Exco, including a restraining order against these individuals from representing themselves as Chairpersons or members of the APC Exco in Bayelsa.
The court ruling, delivered by Justice I.T Cocodia, invalidated the wards, local government areas, and state congress held on September 3-4 and October 16, 2021. Blankson possesses a copy of this judgment, which remains valid and operational, as there has been no stay of execution.
Blankson pointed out that the individuals involved have failed to pursue their appeal for over a year, neglecting to take necessary steps in the Court of Appeal and warned that continued actions by these individuals could lead to contempt of court proceedings.
The statement reads:” You may have seen a recent press statement released by individuals claiming to represent the APC Exco from Southern jaw and Ekeremor LGA.
“I would like to address the claims regarding the suspension of former APC governor-elect Chief David Lyon and the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.”
“To set the record straight, I filed a case in the state High Court in January 2022, challenging the legitimacy of the congress that produced the current party officials at the state, LGA, and ward levels.”
“The court agreed with my arguments, and on January 20, 2023, delivered a judgment nullifying the entire party Exco. This ruling included a restraining order against these individuals from representing themselves as Chairpersons or members of the APC Exco in Bayelsa.”
“1 hold a copy of this judgment, which remains valid and operational, as there has been no stay of execution.”
” Furthermore, the individuals involved have neglected to pursue their appeal for over a year, failing to take necessary steps in the Court of Appeal.”
“I urge the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are looking to forment trouble in Bayelsa State.”
“Should these actions continue, I will not hesitate to initiate contempt of court proceedings against them.”
In light of this development, Blankson has urged the Commissioner of Police and relevant security agencies to remain vigilant regarding the actions of these individuals, who are seeking to instigate trouble in Bayelsa State.
This call for sanctions comes as the APC National Committee has previously declared that all suspensions and counter-suspensions within the Bayelsa chapter are null and void, citing Article 21 of the party’s amended constitution.
