The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress, APC in Bayelsa has assumed another dimension with stakeholders dragging the Chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio- Odoni to Court for violating the court ruling on the nullification of congresses.
Accordingly, on behalf of stakeholders, a chieftain of the party, Osom Blankson has instituted a contempt of Court proceedings against Otiotio for flouting the January 20, 2023 judgement nullifying the party’s Wards, Local Government Areas, and State Congresses of the party in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Yenagoa, Blankson, dismissed claims by Otiotio and a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Selekaye Victor- Ben that the case was abandoned.
Displaying a copy of the court judgement, Blankson said the judgement remained valid and in force.
“They said that the case was to stop the party from producing candidates and as that was not achieved, the matter has been abandoned.
“It’s a sad commentary, I’m feeling very sad to hear that from one who is supposed to be an assembly member, who should know the workings of the court. The court delivered judgment. Nobody appealed.
‘’The Court gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants (APC and co) its privies and or agents from parading any person as a Ward, Local Government, and State Party Leaders/Officers in Bayelsa State, pending the determination of Motion on Notice.
“So, the implication is that there is an existing court judgement and a restraining order barring these persons, including Dr. Dennis Otiotio and the entire excos and party officials that was produced by that Congress,’’ he said.
According to him, the implication is that those claiming to be performing functions as members of APC executive in Bayelsa state are already in contempt of the Court.
“We have taken steps to institute contempt proceedings against everybody that flouted the judgment. You see when people take laws into their own hands as if there is no law, sometimes it’s good to tell the public that there’s law, the law exists,’’ he added.
