The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has affirmed its compliance with the interim order of the Federal High Court restraining the conduct and recognition of its congresses in Ondo State.
The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, disclosed this on Tuesday night during an interview on Arise Television, emphasizing that the ruling party remains committed to upholding the rule of law despite disagreeing with the court’s decision.
Bashiru explained that immediately the party became aware of the court’s directive, it instructed its Ondo State Congress Committee to suspend further actions pending the determination of the matter.
“We woke up to a court order by the Federal High Court, and as a law-abiding party, we directed our team there to stand down until the order is vacated or there is a contrary order from the court,” he stated.
He maintained that the APC would not operate in defiance of judicial authority, stressing that obedience to court orders is a fundamental democratic obligation.
“We are not a party of illegality. Even though we believe the court order ought not to have been granted to restrain the holding of the congress because it is not a perishable matter, when there is a positive order of court, you must respect it,” Bashiru added.
According to him, while the party intends to challenge the ruling through appropriate legal channels, it will continue to comply with the order unless and until it is set aside.
“You must respect it, even when you file an application to set it aside, unless there is a statutory provision to the contrary. So we are obeying the court order, but of course we are going to challenge that order for it to be vacated,” he said.
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure had earlier granted an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the Ward and Local Government Congresses allegedly conducted in February, as well as the proposed State Congress in Ondo State, pending further hearing of the suit.
