The apex court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, dismissed the appeal filed by the Maxi Okwu-led faction which had sought to be declared as the authentic executive committee of the party. Ruling against the Okwu-led faction on Friday, the apex court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had on June 18, 2015 declared Umeh as the authentic National Chairman of the party. The Supreme Court held that the executive committee which emanated from the national convention conducted by Umeh’s leadership was the one recognised by law. The Supreme Court’s panel presided over by Justice John Fabiyi (now retired) had fixed Friday for judgment in the case. Okwu’s counsel, Garba Pwul (SAN), had urged the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had ruled against him by reversing the ruling of an Federal High Court in Abuja of January 15, 2015. The Federal High Court in Abuja had affirmed Okwu as the authentic National Chairman of APGA but the ruling was set aside by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Pwul had also contended that the appeal court erred by ignoring the merit of the case, pointing out that the immediate past National Chairman of APGA, Umeh, imposed himself on the party for over 10 years in violation of the party’s constitution. The senior lawyer urged the apex court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Okwu’s leadership of the party. However, counsel to Umeh, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), had urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which recognised Umeh as the National Chairman. Reacting to the judgment, Umeh said the Supreme Court’s verdict had vindicated his leadership of the party. “We thank God for the dismissal of Maxi Okwu’s appeal by the Supreme Court this morning vindicating my leadership of the party,” he said.]]>