The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has upheld a previous ruling by the Rivers State High Court that nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses which produced Chief Tony Okocha and other members of the party's executive council in Rivers State. Okocha and the dissolved executive are known allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The appellate court's decision affirms the judgement delivered on December 20, 2024, by Justice Obomanu of the Rivers State High Court, which invalidated the APC congresses conducted in Rivers State. Following that ruling, Okocha and members of his executive council approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the decision.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, upheld the lower court's verdict, effectively sustaining the nullification of the congresses that produced the Okocha-led executive.
The ruling is believed to have far-reaching implications for the party in Rivers State. Reports indicate that all actions, decisions, and representations made by the Okocha-led executive on behalf of the APC since December 20, 2024, may now be considered null and void. In addition, candidates produced by the party ahead of future elections could face legal uncertainty and possible disqualification.
However, the Okocha-led faction has dismissed suggestions that the judgement threatens its leadership status, arguing that the matter remains unresolved pending a substantive hearing.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chibike Ikenga said:
“The Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State are aware of the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt dated Friday, 29th May, 2026 in an Interlocutory Appeal and Matter sent back to the Court of first instance for full trial in(APPEAL NO: CA/PH/523/2024: APC & ANOR. V OKWU JOEBROWN NDIKE filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the jurisdiction of the High court directing the parties to ‘maintain status quo’ and also challenging the competence of the suit before the Rivers State High Court.
“There is no threat to the status of the EXCO pending full trial. Our lawyers will study the full judgement and advise on the next step.
“We advise party faithful to remain calm and not panic by the deliberate misrepresentation of the facts and circumstances of the judgement by those who lack in-depth knowledge of what transpired in the court."
The APC leadership in Rivers State maintains that the appellate court ruling relates to an interlocutory appeal and that the substantive issues in the case will be determined during the full trial at the lower court.