By Correspondent in Lafia.
The lingering leadership crisis within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a legal turn, as the Chairman of Gayam Electoral Ward in Lafia, Ibrahim Illiyasu, has dragged the suspended State Chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, to the Federal High Court 1, Lafia.
Illiyasu is seeking a court order restraining Bello from parading himself as a member or chairman of the party, pending the determination of the case.
He also fears that Bello, despite being suspended, is plotting to expel him from the party.
Joined in the suit are the All Progressives Congress (as first respondent), Aliyu Bello (second respondent), and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC (third respondent).
It will be recalled that on Tuesday, July 3, Illiyasu and 13 other APC officials at the ward level announced the suspension of Bello over alleged anti-party activities during a press conference.
At the court hearing on Tuesday, Counsel to the plaintiff, Isa Hassan-Nalaraba, urged the court to immediately restrain Bello from further presenting himself as a party leader or member.
He told the court that Bello’s continued actions—despite his suspension—pose a threat to the ward leadership and the integrity of the party’s internal disciplinary process.
In response, Counsel to the respondents, Thomas Ogboshi, described the plaintiff’s claims as speculative and assured the court of their intention to file a written response within the timeframe allowed by law.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Mubolaju Olajuwon declined to issue a restraining order but advised all parties to refrain from taking any action that might interfere with the proceedings. She adjourned the case to September 25 for hearing of the substantive suit.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
