THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Monday, at its convention, elected Chief Maxi Okwu as new national chairman and 27 other officers to run the affairs of the party.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has granted the stay of execution of Enugu High Court judgment barring the embattled former national chairman of APGA, Mr. Victor Umeh, from parading himself as national chairman of the party pending the determination of his appeal.
The convention held in the early hours of Monday at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Awka in Anambra State was largely attended by delegates and supervised by the chairman, electoral committee, Col. James Onyejiegbu (rtd). Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to observe the exercise.
Other national officers elected include: National Vice Chairman, South-East, Dr. Elijah Onwuka; National Vice chairman South-South, Ray Murphy; Deputy National Chairman, South, Chief Chris Uche; Deputy Chairman, Northwest, Alhaji Tijani idris; Deputy Chairman, North, Alhaji Sadeeq Massala; and National Secretary, Alhaji Sigir Maidoya.
Okwu, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of other executive members, said the congress and convention marked a new dawn in the annals of the party.
He commended all the delegates for their peaceful conduct and deep sense of commitment throughout the exercise, and promised to work in collaboration with others.
In his speech, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State said it was the first time any political party would conduct a successful convention without rancour or acrimony. He enjoined the new officers to carry everyone along, resolve all differences and work towards a stronger party. Obi expressed the hope that the party would consolidate on its current strength and emerge victorious in the coming elections.
The newly elected Deputy National Chairman (North Central), Massala, described the convention as a good omen for the party on account of the exercise being transparent.
While commending Obi for the leadership role he exhibited in restructuring the party, Massala explained that the convention represents the opinion of the majority of party members.
Former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, said the convention has ushered in a new era for the party, which she said has now moved to the next level.
Dissatisfied with the High Court ruling delivered by the Chief Justice, Innocent Umezulike on February 8, 2013, Umeh had approached the appellate court seeking, among other reliefs, the stay of execution of the judgment, insisting that the Enugu High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter filed by a member of the party in Enugu State, Ichie Jude Okuli Ejike.
Attempt by the Appeal Court judges, headed by Justice D. Galinje, to rule on the motions on March 25, 2013 was opposed by the respondent, Okuli, who claimed that he was not served with the court processes upon which he was served right there in the court and the matter was adjourned to Monday April 8, 2013.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the court, after a lengthy legal arguments by counsel to the plaintiff and respondent respectively, ruled that since the court below granted reliefs not sought by the petitioner, the ruling should be stayed pending the determination of the substantive matter.
The court also held that since the respondents have approached the Supreme Court, it would not delve into the appeal against the proceeding and lack of representations, adding that it would proceed with the ruling on stay of execution, which it said has merit.
