A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued a significant order, preventing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acting on a controversial resolution targeting the party's chairman in Cross River State.
Court Grants Interim Relief to Chairman
Justice J. E. Obanor, presiding at Court 26 in Jabi, Abuja, granted the interim orders on December 18, 2025. The ruling came in response to a suit filed by the state chairman, Hon. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, against the APC, INEC, and two other individuals: Mr. Ekum Ekok Ojogu and Mr. Patrick Asikpo Okon. The case is registered as FCT/HC/CV/5197/2025.
Eba, represented by his Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayotunde Ogunleye, had approached the court through an ex parte motion. He sought legal protection from what he described as an unlawful resolution dated November 26, 2025. According to the claimant, this resolution was designed to obstruct him from performing his constitutional duties as the duly elected APC chairman in Cross River State.
Specific Orders Issued by the Judge
In his ruling, Justice Obanor issued several specific injunctions. The court restrained all defendants—including their agents and privies—from implementing or continuing to implement the said resolution. This includes any action that could prevent Eba from carrying out his responsibilities as state chairman, pending the determination of the substantive motion.
The court made three critical orders:
- The defendants are barred from stopping Eba from attending the APC's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, or any other party meetings he is entitled to attend during his tenure.
- The second defendant, Mr. Ekum Ekok Ojogu, or any other person, is restrained from parading himself as the Acting State Chairman of the APC in Cross River State while Eba's tenure subsists.
- All defendants must refrain from initiating, deliberating, or taking any action that could negatively affect Eba's position or rights as the recognized chairman until the motion on notice is heard.
Reasoning and Next Steps
After reviewing the court processes, Justice Obanor stated he was satisfied there was sufficient reason to grant the interim reliefs. He formally granted Motion No. M/16959/2025 "as prayed," meaning the orders were made exactly as requested by the claimant's counsel.
The judge emphasized that these orders would remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The case has been adjourned to January 22, 2026, for the hearing of that substantive motion.
This legal development throws a spotlight on internal party dynamics within the APC in Cross River State. It ensures the status quo is maintained, allowing Alphonsus Ogar Eba to continue in his role and participate in crucial party governance, including the imminent NEC meeting, while the legal challenges are resolved.
